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OF  CALIFORNIA 

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UNDER    THE    LIBERTY    TREE. 


STORIES    OF 
American   History, 


JAMES   OTIS. 

Under  the   Liberty   Tree :    A  Story  of  the 

Boston  Massacre. 
The  Boys  of  1745    at  the  Capture  of  Louis- 

bourg. 

An  Island  Refuge:  Casco  Bay  in  1676. 
Neal  the  Miller:  A  Son  of  Liberty. 
Ezra  Jordan's  Escape  from  the  Massacre  at 

Fort  Loyall. 

Each  volume  cloth,  small  12  mo,    neatly 
bound,  75  cents. 

ESTES  &  LAURIAT, 

PUBLISHERS. 


a §>"" 


UNDER  THE  LIBERTY  TREE 


A  STORY  OF 


THE   "BOSTON   MASSACRE" 


JAMES    OTIS 

AUTHOR  OF  "JENNY  WREN'S  BOARDING-HOUSE,"  "JERRY'S  FAMILY' 
"THE  BOYS'  REVOLT,"  "THE  BOYS  OF  1745,"  ETC. 


Ellustrateti 


BOSTON 

ESTES    AND    LAURIAT 
1896 


.  Copyright,  1896, 

BY  ESTES  AND   LAURIAT 

All  rights  reserved 


Colonial 

C.  H.  Simonds  &  Co.,  Boston,  Mass.,  U.S.A. 
Electrotyped  by  Geo.  C.  Scott  &  Sons 


n 

7 


CONTENTS. 


I.  THE  LIBERTY  TREE       .        .        .        .        .        .        .11 

II.  P^IRST  FRUITS         .         .         .         ,         .         „                        29 

III.  LIBERTY  HALL       ........       49 

IV.  A  DISCOMFITED  CREDITOR 67 

V.     A  NIGHT  OF  TERROR 81 

VI.  AFTER  THE  MASSACRE          .                                           .     101 


LIST   OF    ILLUSTRATIONS. 


THE  SOLDIERS  FIRE        ......        Frontispiece 

"  HOW  LONG  IS  IT  SINCE  YOU  HAVE  BEEN  HOBNOBBING 

IN  THAT  QUARTER?"    .         .         .         .         .         .  13 

"THEY  ARE  INDULGING  IN  TREASONABLE  PRACTICES"          .       19 
ATTACHING  THE  WARNING      .        .        .        .        .         .        .27 

"WILL  YOU  GIVE  ME  THE  MONEY  NOW?"  .  .  .  -35 

"  YOU  ARE  A  COWARD  !  " 40 

"  RAISING  HIS  MUSKET  QUICKLY,  AND  WITHOUT  TAKING 

AIM,  HE  FIRED  "........  45 

PAUL  REVERE  AND  AMOS 50 

THE  CROWD  UNDER  THE  LIBERTY  TREE  .  .  .  6 1 

"THE  SENTRY  KNOCKED  HIM  DOWN" 71 

"  ONE  OF  THE  FRAGMENTS  STRUCK  MRS.  RICHARDSON  "  .  74 
"  MEN  AND  BOYS  RUSHED  FROM  THEIR  HOMES  "  .  .  .85 

ATTUCKS 89 

"  TO  THE  MAIN  GUARD  " 95 

"POOR  SAM!" 102 

"BOTH  REGIMENTS  OR  NONE!" 107 


"  YOUR  LORDSHIP  must  know  that  Liberty  Tree  is  a  large, 
old  Elm  in  the  High  Street,  upon  which  the  effigies  were  hung 
in  the  time  of  the  Stamp  Act,  and  from  whence  the  mobs  at 
that  time  made  their  parades.  It  has  since  been  adorned  with 
an  inscription,  and  has  obtained  the  name  of  Liberty  Tree,  as 
the  ground  under  it  has  that  of  Liberty  Hall.  In  August  last, 
just  before  the  commencement  of  the  present  troubles,  they 
erected  a  flagstaff,  which  went  through  the  tree,  and  a  good 
deal  above  the  top  of  the  tree.  Upon  this  they  hoist  a  flag 
as  a  signal  for  the  Sons  of  Liberty,  as  they  are  called." 

Extract  from  a  letter  •written  by  Governor  Bernard  to  Lord  Hillsborough 
under  date  of  June  /<?,  7765. 


"The  world  should  never  forget  the  spot  where  once  stood 
Liberty  Tree,  so  famous  in  your  annals." 

The  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  in  a  speech  delivered  in  Boston  during  his 
last  visit  to  America. 


UNDER  THE    LIBERTY  TREE 


A  Story  of  the  "Boston  Massacre 


CHAPTER    I. 

THE     LIBERTY    TREE. 

IT  was  on  the  evening  of  February  21,  1/70,  in  the  city 
of  Boston,  that  a  party  of  boys,  ranging  in  age  from  ten 
to  eighteen  years,  were  assembled  at  what  was  known  as 
"  Liberty  Hall,"  which  was  not  a  building,  but  simply  the 
open  space  sheltered  by  the  wide-spreading  branches  of 
the  "  Liberty  Tree." 

Although  General  Gage's  troops  occupied  the  city,  and 
patrols  of  the  "bloody  backs,"  as  the  red-coated  soldiers 
had  been  called  in  derision,  paced  to  and  fro  at  regular 
intervals  along  the  streets,  these  boys  spoke  openly  of 
their  desire,  and  even  of  their  intention,  to  avenge  the 
wrongs  under  which  the  colonists  were  suffering,  believing 
from  past  experience  that  the  troops  would  not  dare  pro- 
ceed to  extremities  with  the  citizens,  more  especially  since 


12  UNDER    THE   LIBERTY   TREE. 

Lieutenant-Governor  Hutchinson  "doubted  his  authority 
to  order  the  soldiers  to  fire  upon  the  populace."  * 

These  boys  had  shown  several  times  in  the  vicinity  of 
this  same  so-called  Liberty  Hall  of  what  acts  they  were 
capable,  and  there  was  not  one  of  them  but  that  looked 
forward  to  the  time  when  it  should  be  possible  to  do  some- 
thing more  than  simply  vent  his  displeasure  in  words. 

They  had  been  among  the  throng  who,  in  open  defiance 
of  the  law,  had  made  prisoner  of  Giles  Hendricks  ;  tarred 
and  feathered,  and  then  carried,  him  in  a  cart  through  the 
principal  streets  of  the  city  to  the  Liberty  Tree,  because 
he  had  given  evidence  regarding  the  smuggling  of  wine 
from  Rhode  Island.  Here  under  the  old  elm  he  had  been 
forced  to  swear  he  would  never  be  guilty  of  a  like  crime 
in  the  future,  and  only  then  was  allowed  to  go  free,  wear- 
ing his  closely  fitting  and  decidedly  uncomfortable  garment 
of  tar. 

The  gathering  on  this  particular  night  at  Liberty  Hall 
was,  in  the  opinion  of  those  participating,  of  great  impor- 
tance. 

Several  shopkeepers  had  failed  to  keep  the  promise  not 
to  import  British  goods,  made  in  January,  and  on  the 
afternoon  of  this  day,  Hardy  Baker,  who  was  apprenticed 
to  Master  Piemont,  the  barber,  had  learned  that  Theophi- 
lus  Lillie,  whose  shop  was  on  Hanover  Street,  near  the 
New  Brick  Church,  had  not  only  broken  his  agreement, 
but  openly  declared  it  was  his  intention  to  sell  whatsoever 
he  pleased. 

*  Oilman's  "  Story  of  Boston." 


THE    LIBERTY   TREE. 


"  He  boasts  he  will  sell  even  tea,  if  it  so  be  his  custo- 
mers wish  to  buy,"  Master  Baker  said,  in  concluding  his 
story  of  the  shopkeeper's  iniquities. 

"  How  did  you  learn  this  ?  "  Amos   Richardson  asked, 
quite  sharply,  for  the  barber's  apprentice  was  noted  rather 
for  his  imaginative  powers  than 
a  strict  adherence  to 
the  truth. 


"  I   heard  it 
when   I   went  to   the 
Custom  House   this  morning." 
"  But   what   were  you   doing  there  ?      How  long  is  it 
since  you  have  been  hobnobbing  in  that  quarter?" 

"Am  I  accused  of  being  friendly  with  the  'bloody 
backs  '  ? "  Hardy  asked,  indignantly.  "  Can't  I  go  any- 
where in  the  town  but  that  suspicions  are  aroused  ?  " 


14  UNDER    THE  LIBERTY  TREE. 

"  It  will  be  well  for  you  to  show  anger  only  after  you 
have  explained  why  you  were  at  the  Custom  House." 

"  There  is  no  reason  why  I  should  be  forced  to  do  so. 
The  part  I  took  in  bringing  Hendricks  to  the  Liberty 
Tree  is  enough  to  show  that  the  '  bloody  backs  '  can  expect 
no  favour  from  me." 

"  Yet  your  master  has  among  his  customers  many  who 
wear  coats  of  red,  and  you  shave  some  of  them." 

"  True ;  but  it  is  not  every  one  over  whose  face  my 
razor  passes,  that  I  call  a  friend.  Since  you  are  so  sus- 
picious, Amos  Richardson,  I  will  explain  my  going  to  the 
Custom  House,"  Hardy  added,  only  after  noting  the  fact 
that  several  of  those  standing  nearest  were  gazing  at  him 
sternly.  "  You  must  know  that  many  of  the  Britishers 
who  come  to  Master  Piemont's  shop  to  be  served  pay  for 
the  work  at  the  end  of  every  three  months,  instead  of 
doing  so  each  day  or  week.  Now,  among  these  red- 
coats who  hold  on  to  their  money  as  long  as  possible, 
is  one  Lieutenant  Draper,  whom  I  attend.  When  it  was 
learned  that  he  intended  to  let  his  account  run  until 
three  months  had  passed,  Master  Piemont  told  me  the 
bill  should  be  mine  in  consideration  of  my  strict  atten- 
tion to  duty.  Master  Piemont  knows  a  good  workman 
when  he  sees  one,  and  I  have  been  in  his  shop  a  long 
while." 

"  But  you  are  not  a  workman  yet,"  a  member  of  the 
party  shouted.  "  You  are  only  an  apprentice,  Hardy." 

"Well,  and  if  I  am  ?  I  may  be  as  good  as  a  journey- 
man for  all  that.  If  I  was  n't,  it  is  hardly  lik.  V  Master 


THE  LIBERTY   TREE  15 

Piemont  would  have  made  me  so  generous  an  offer,  and  of 
his  own  free  will." 

"  Perhaps  he  thought  it  was  the  only  way  by  which  he 
could  induce  you  to  attend  to  your  work,"  some  one 
shouted,  laughingly,  and  Amos  said,  sharply  : 

"We  have  not  come  here  to  make  sport.  Let  him 
explain,  without  interruption,  why  he  was  at  the  Custom 
House  this  morning,  and  then  we  will  decide  how  we  can 
best  bring  Master  Lillie  to  realise  that  he  must  keep  the 
agreement  made  with  the  other  shopkeepers.  What  has 
Lieutenant  Draper  and  his  account  to  do  with  your  visit, 
Hardy?" 

"  It  has  everything  to  do,  since  I  was  there  attending 
to  my  own  business.  The  officer's  quarterly  bill  should 
have  been  paid  last  Thursday,  and,  knowing  he  was  on 
duty  at  the  place,  I  went  there  in  the  hope  of  getting  my 
money.  Does  that  seem  reasonable?" 

Amos  looked  around  inquiringly  at  his  companions,  and 
Chris  Snyder,  a  German  lad  only  eleven  years  of  age, 
but  who  was  allowed  a  voice  in  the  meetings  beneath  the 
Liberty  Tree  because  of  his  staunch  loyalty  and  unfailing 
good  nature,  cried,  impatiently : 

"  Let  him  tell  his  story.  I  am  certain  he  has  spoken 
nothing  but  the  truth,  for  he  said  to  me  last  night  that 
he  had  twice  asked  for  the  money,  and  was  going  this 
morning  for  the  third  time." 

"  Did  you  get  it,  Hardy  ?  "  some  one  asked,  and  Master 
Baker  replied,  angrily  : 

"  I  did  n^t ;  but  the  next  time  I  demand  it  he  will  pay, 


1 6  UNDER    THE   LIBERTY   TREE. 

for  I  shall  treat  him  with  no  more  ceremony  than  I  would 
one  of  the  pirates." 

"  Be  careful  you  don't  feel  the  flat  of  his  sword  across 
your  back,  my  old  barber." 

"  He  dares  not  strike  me,  for  he  knows  how  much 
influence  I  have  in  this  town." 

"  And  how  much  have  you  ?  When  did  you  become 
of  great  public  importance?" 

"  When  I  showed  what  should  be  done  to  reformers 
like  Hendricks." 

"  And  are  you  the  one  who  is  responsible  for  that 
lesson  ? " 

"  But  for  me  it  might  never  have  been  given,  for  I 
pointed  out  the  man  when  it  was  not  believed  he  was  in 
the  city." 

"We  are  wasting  our  time,"  Amos  cried,  impatiently, 
raising  his  voice  above  the  uproar,  for  now  many  had 
begun  to  deride  Hardy's  pretensions.  "  Let  him  explain 
how  he  knows  that  Master  Theophilus  Lillie  has  declared 
he  will  sell  British  goods." 

The  barber's  apprentice  was  prompt  to  make  reply,  for 
the  taunts  of  his  comrades  were  not  at  all  to  his  liking. 

"  While  waiting  in  the  guard-room  at  the  Custom  House, 
I  heard  the  'bloody  backs'  talking  among  themselves 
about  the  spirit  which  Theophilus  was  showing  in  declar- 
ing he  would  conduct  his  business  to  please  himself. 
There  was  among  the  soldiers  one  who  had  heard  him 
announce  his  decision  to  no  less  a  person  than  Master 
Samuel  Adams  ;  but  in  order  to  make  more  certain  of 


THE   LIBERTY  TREE.  I  7 

the  truth,  I  went  to  the  shop  as  if  I  had  been  sent  by 
Master  Piemont,  and  asked  for  tea.  It  was  Theophilus 
Lillie  himself  who  told  me  he  had  it.  Do  you  want 
stronger  proof  than  that  ?  " 

Although  Hardy  Baker  was  not  noted  for  strict  loyalty 
to  the  truth,  there  was  no  one  among  the  party  who 
doubted  his  statement,  and  immediately  the  question  arose 
as  to  what  should  be  done  to  bring  the  offending  shop- 
keeper to  a  full  realisation  of  the  enormity  of  his  offence. 

While  the  bolder  spirits  were  discussing  among  them- 
selves as  to  whether  the  general  public  would  look  with 
favour  upon  their  treating  the  merchant  as  they  had  the 
informer,  and  the  more  timid  ones  were  arguing  that  their 
elders  might  not  countenance  an  act  of  violence  against  a 
merchant  occupying  such  a  prominent  position  in  the 
mercantile  world  as  did  Master  Theophilus  Lillie,  James 
Gray,  a  lad  small  of  stature  but  fertile  in  expedients,  as 
had  been  shown  many  times  under  similar  circumstances, 
made  a  suggestion  which  met  with  the  unqualified 
approval  of  all. 

"  I  have  at  home  the  figurehead  of  the  old  sloop  FaitJi 
and  Prudence.  It  is  the  image  of  a  man,  with  a  nose  not 
unlike  the  one  Master  Lillie  carries  on  his  face.  Let  us 
saw  the  head  off,  nail  it  to  a  pole,  and  set  it  up  in  front  of 
his  shop  with  a  notice  attached  warning  all  honest  citizens 
against  trading  with  him." 

"  Hurrah  for  Jim  Gray's  plan  !  "  a  member  of  the  party 
cried,  and  heartily  the  others  responded,  causing  one  of 
two  old  gentlemen,  who  chanced  to  be  passing  at  that 


1 8  UNDER    THE   LIBERTY   TREE. 

moment,  to  say,  with  many  an  ominous  shake  of  his 
white  head : 

"If  the  children  are  allowed  to  display  signs  of  dis- 
loyalty thus  publicly,  it  is  not  difficult  to  say  how  treason- 
able must  be  their  parents.  Governor  Hutchinson  shows 
far  too  mild  a  spirit,  or  some  of  these  young  sparks  would 
be  adorning  the  pillory.  It  was  not  so  when  I  was  a  boy." 

"But  it  may  be  they  are  bent  only  on  some  youthful 
frolic,  Friend  Johnson,  and  we  gray  -  heads  must  make 
allowance  for  young  blood." 

"  The  only  allowance  they  should  have  is  a  dozen 
strokes  of  the  whip.  They  are  indulging  in  treasonable 
practices,  otherwise  the  meeting-place  would  not  be  under 
what  is  already  known  throughout  the  colony  as  the 
Liberty  Tree.  I  shall  speak  with  Governor  Hutchinson 
to-morrow,  and  if  he  still  insists  upon  faint-hearted  meas- 
ures, word  must  be  sent  to  his  majesty.  Unless  this 
lawless  spirit  is  speedily  checked,  trouble  will  follow. 
The  fathers  of  these  young  scoundrels  may  prudently 
contrive  to  keep  themselves  from  publicly  committing 
any  overt  act  against  the  laws  ;  but  they  can  be  taught 
a  lesson  through  their  sons." 

Before  the  old  gentlemen  were  beyond  sight  of  the 
Tree,  the  meeting  had  noisily  adjourned  to  Jim  Gray's 
home  on  Cross  Street,  the  entire  party  marching  with 
something  approaching  military  precision  through  the 
streets,  as  if  fancying  this  semblance  of  order  was 
necessary  to  give  proper  dignity  to  what  they  knew 
would  be  a  riotous  act. 


THE   LIBERTY   TREE.  21 

The  figurehead  of  the  sloop  had  been  long  exposed  to 
the  weather  in  the  rear  of  the  house,  and  perhaps  no  one 
save  Jim  and  his  assistants  could  have  traced  a  resem- 
blance in  the  roughly-hewn  contour  of  the  face  to  that  of 
the  prosperous  merchant.  They,  however,  were  well  sat- 
isfied with  the  instrument  which  might  bring  Master  Lillie 
to  a  realisation  of  his  offence,  and  Hardy  Baker  was  posi- 
tive no  citizen  of  Boston  could  look  upon  the  wooden  face 
without  seeing  in  it  a  strong  resemblance  to  the  trader 
who  had  broken  his  agreement. 

The  head  was  severed  from  the  trunk  and  affixed  to  the 
mast  of  Amos  Richardson's  sailboat,  which  spar  was  will- 
ingly sacrificed  for  that  purpose  by  its  owner. 

The  majority  of  the  party  appeared  to  think  that  the 
head  in  itself  would  serve  as  a  menace  to  Master  Lillie  ; 
but  Jim  Gray  was  not  satisfied  with  so  mild  a  warning, 
and  proceeded,  after  his  own  fashion,  to  add  to  its  sup- 
posed terrors. 

He  found  in  the  wood-house  a  piece  of  planed  board, 
three  feet  long  and  fifteen  or  sixteen  inches  in  width,  on 
which  he  inscribed,  after  much  labour,  with  paint  composed 
of  lampblack  and  fish-oil,  the  name  of  each  of  the  mer- 
chants who  had  been  guilty  of  breaking  their  agreement 
regarding  the  sale  of  British  goods. 

This  he  nailed  on  the  spar  within  a  few  feet  of  the  head, 
affixing  it  so  firmly  that  it  could  not  readily  be  wrenched 
off,  and  the  instrument  of  warning  was  held  erect  a  few 
moments  that  the  young  conspirators  might  observe  the 
general  effect. 


22  UNDER    THE  LIBERTY   TREE. 

"  Master  Lillie  will  quake  in  his  boots  when  he  sees 
that,"  Hardy  Baker  said,  in  a  tone  of  conviction.  "  Noth- 
ing could  be  better,  unless  we  had  his  name  with  the 
others." 

"  But  the  head  is  there,"  Jim  replied,  "and  even  Master 
Lillie  himself  must  see  that  the  face  is  like  to  his." 

"  Unless  he  is  over-fond  of  looking  in  a  mirror,  he  may 
make  a  mistake,"  Hardy  persisted.  "  Can't  you  put  his 
name  on  the  board  with  the  others  ? " 

Jim  was  not  disposed  to  add  to  what  he  considered 
almost  a  work  of  art,  lest  he  should  detract  from  its  merits 
in  some  degree,  and  after  a  brief  pause  he  said,  as  a  happy 
thought  occurred  to  him  : 

"  This  will  look  better,  and  there  can  be  no  mistake  if 
the  spar  is  put  up  with  the  board  set  in  the  proper  direc- 
tion." 

As  he  spoke  he  painted  a  rude  hand  with  the  dexter 
ringer  pointing. 

"  Now  we  have  only  to  place  it  so  that  this  shows  the 
way  into  the  shop,  and  if  Master  Lillie  makes  any  mistake 
in  regard  to  its  being  intended  for  him,  he  has  a  thicker 
skull  than  his  neighbors  credit  him  with." 

It  appeared  to  the  party  assembled  as  if  nothing  was 
wanting  to  make  this  symbol  of  warning  full  of  meaning 
and  menace,  and  it  only  remained  to  place  it  in  position. 

Hardy  Baker  proposed  to  set  out  at  once  to  complete 
the  work,  regardless  of  the  fact  that  the  citizens  were  yet 
astir,  and  that  the  moon  illumined  the  streets  almost  bril- 
liantly, thereby  preventing  secrecy  of  movement. 


THE  LIBERTY  TREE,  2$ 

Amos  Richardson  insisted  that  it  might  be  fatal  to  the 
success  of  the  scheme  if  they  were  discovered  by  Master 
Lillie  before  the  pole  had  been  set  in  place,  and  suggested 
that  a  certain  number  be  selected  to  perform  the  work  at 
an  hour  when  all  good  people  were  supposed  to  be  asleep. 

The  only  difficulty  in  acting  upon  this  suggestion  was 
that  every  member  of  the  party  was  desirous  of  doing  a 
portion  of  the  work ;  but  Amos  held  firm  to  the  idea  that 
they  might  defeat  their  purpose  by  allowing  too  large  a 
body  of  workmen  to  take  part,  and  that  the  smallest  num- 
ber needed  to  perform  the  task  would  have  greater  chance 
of  success. 

Therefore  it  was  that  Jim,  who  was  entitled  to  a  place 
on  the  "  committee  "  because  of  having  designed  the  sym- 
bol ;  Amos,  owing  to  the  fact  that  he  was  looked  upon  by 
his  comrades  as  their  leader ;  Hardy  Baker,  because  he 
had  a  personal  grievance  against  the  British  and,  conse- 
quently, against  British  goods,  through  his  unsatisfied 
claim  against  the  lieutenant,  and  little  Chris  Snyder  were 
finally  selected  as  the  boys  to  perform  the  more  delicate 
portion  of  the  task. 

Very  reluctantly  the  others  took  their  departure,  leaving 
the  four  to  complete  the  work  after  their  own  fashion,  and 
promising  to  be  in  front  of  Master  Lillie's  shop  at  an  early 
hour  next  morning. 

Being  thus  left  to  their  own  devices,  the  "  committee  " 
took  refuge  in  the  wood-shed,  for  the  night  seemed  uncom- 
fortably cold,  save  when  a  fellow  was  indulging  in  plenty 
of  exercise,  and  there  they  remained,  looking  out  of  the 


24  UNDER    THE  LIBERTY   TREE. 

open  door  at  the  result  of  Jim's  handiwork  ten  minutes  or 
more  without  speaking,  when  Chris  Snyder  broke  the 
silence  by  asking,  in  his  thin,  piping  voice  : 

"  What  are  you  fellows  waiting  here  for  ?  Why  don't 
we  carry  the  thing  up  to  Master  Lillie's  shop  at  once  ?  It 
won't  be  a  hard  job  for  four  of  us,  and  I  must  be  getting 
home.  Mother  says  a  boy  of  my  age  ought  not  to  be  out- 
of-doors  after  nine  o'clock." 

"And  that 's  where  your  mother  is  right,  Chris,"  Amos 
replied,  with  a  laugh.  "We  shall  all  get  the  reputation  of 
being  very  dissolute  lads  if  the  meetings  at  the  Liberty 
Tree  are  continued  many  weeks  longer.  As  a  matter  of 
fact,  I  think  you  had  best  go  home  now." 

"  Why  ?  I  am  one  who  was  chosen  to  help  place  this 
warning  in  front  of  Master  Lillie's  shop." 

"  You  was  n't  selected  with  the  idea  that  you  would  be 
of  very  much  assistance,  Chris.  I  think  the  other  fellows 
wanted  to  confer  an  honour  upon  you,  even  though  you 
are  the  youngest  of  the  party.  That's  what  comes  of 
always  being  good-natured,  and  ready  to  do  a  comrade  a 
friendly  turn.  We  shall  get  this  pole  into  position  with- 
out your  help,  and  you  might  find  yourself  in  trouble  at 
home  by  remaining  out-of-doors  as  long  as  I  think  it  will 
be  necessary  for  us  to  stay." 

"  Are  n't  you  going  to  work  at  once  ?  " 

"  I  don't  think  it  will  be  safe  until  one  o'clock,"  Amos 
replied,  decidedly,  and  Hardy  Baker  exclaimed,  petu- 
lantly : 

"  That 's  foolishness  !      It    is   after    ten    now,   and   we 


THE   LIBERTY  TREE.  25 

sha'  n't  see  a  dozen  people  between  here  and  Hanover 
Street.  Are  you  afraid,  Amos  ?  " 

"  Do  you  think  it  ?  " 

"  I  asked  the  question,  that 's  all." 

"  If  I  thought  you  really  meant  it  I  should  have  a 
little  task  to  perform  now,  before  we  set  about  Master 
Lillie's  business,  in  giving  you  a  warning  against  letting 
your  tongue  run  away  with  your  wits." 

"  I  was  only  in  sport,  Amos,"  Hardy  hastened  to  say, 
as  he  understood  that  his  friend  was  angry.  "  Of  course 
I  did  n't  suppose  for  a  moment  you  were  afraid  ;  but  it 
seems  to  me  as  if  we  might  get  through  with  the  work  at 
once,  rather  than  wait  around  here  all  night.  The  '  bloody 
backs '  won't  dare  touch  us  so  long  as  we  are  simply  walk- 
ing through  the  streets,  even  though  we  are  carrying  a 
pole." 

Jim  Gray  appeared  to  be  of  the  same  opinion,  and 
Amos,  understanding  that  his  companions  did  not  recog- 
nise the  necessity  for  so  much  prudence,  gave  way. 

"  If  we  wait  till  past  midnight  there  will  be  no  mistake 
about  doing  as  we  wish,  while  to  set  out  now  may  bring 
us  into  trouble,"  he  said,  thoughtfully.  "  However,  if 
you  are  of  the  mind  that  we  should  go  on  with  the  work 
at  this  hour,  taking  all  the  chances  of  failure,  I  am  ready." 

"  Come  on,  then  !  "  Jim  shouted,  as  he  seized  one  end 
of  the  pole.  "  I  want  to  do  my  share  of  the  work,  and 
at  the  same  time,  slip  into  bed  before  daylight." 

"  How  are  we  to  fasten  it  when  we  get  there  ?  "  Chris 
asked. 


26  UNDER    THE  LIBERTY  TREE. 

"  The  best  way  will  be  to  dig  a  hole,  and  set  it  down 
so  far  that  it  cannot  be  pulled  over  without  considerable 
labor,"  Hardy  suggested,  and  Jim  added  : 

"There's  a  spade  in  the  woodhouse.  Let  Chris  bring 
that  along,  and  the  rest  of  us  will  carry  the  pole." 

"  Something  more  than  that  will  be  necessary,  because 
the  ground  is  frozen.  Look  around  for  an  axe ;  we  shall 
be  obliged  to  work  our  way  through  the  frost,"  Amos 
cried. 

Chris  found  the  necessary  implements  without  difficulty, 
and,  desirous  of  having  the  spar  affixed  so  firmly  there 
could  be  no  question  of  overturning  it  readily,  Hardy 
thrust  into  his  pocket  a  piece  of  stout  Manilla  rope. 

Thus  equipped,  the  party  set  out. 

Contrary  to  Amos's  anticipations,  they  met  no  person 
during  the  walk  from  Cross  Street  to  Hanover,  near  the 
New  Brick  Church,  where  was  situated  Master  Theophilus 
Lillie's  shop. 

This  quarter  of  the  city  appeared  to  be  deserted,  and 
the  boys,  working  noiselessly  but  rapidly,  soon  had  such 
an  excavation,  despite  the  frozen  ground,  as  permitted  of 
setting  the  spar  at  least  two  feet  below  the  surface,  and 
within  a  couple  of  yards  of  the  shopkeeper's  door.  Then, 
by  packing  the  clods  of  frosty  earth  around  it,  the  sym- 
bol of  warning  was  soon  as  firm  as  could  have  been 
desired. 

"  Now  help  me  to  climb  up  there,"  Hardy  whispered  to 
Amos,  as  he  took  the  rope  from  his  pocket  and  pointed 
to  the  top  of  the  spar. 


THE  LIBERTY  TREE. 


"  What  are  you  going  to  do  ?  " 

"  Tie  the  pole  to  a  limb  of  that  tree,  and  then  Master 
Lillie  may  dig  around  the  bottom  as  much  as  he  pleases, 
for  he  will  not  be  able  to  dislodge  it  unless  he  does  as  I 
am  about  to  do." 

Amos  realised   the    wisdom    of 
Hardy's  plan,  and,  giving  him  the 
required  "leg  up,"  the  warning 
was  speedily  attached  to  a  limb 
of  the  tree  in  such  a  manner 
that     considerable    labour 
would  be  necessary  in  order 
to  overthrow  it. 

Then  the  boys  walked 
to  the  opposite  side  of 
the  street  and  surveyed 
the  result  of  their  toil, 

f  TiV  ^  J!SP!i%  W"1!1  "''L  J       after  which  Amos  said,  in  a 
»«1W      -hisper: 

Now  then,  lads,  we  must 

get    under    cover.      I    don't 
fancy    Master    Lillie    would    at- 
tempt to  make  any  serious  trouble, 

even  if  he  knew  who  put  the  ornament  into  position ;  but 
it  is  just  as  well  that  he  and  every  one  else  is  kept  in 
ignorance  of  our  share  in  the  work.  I  shall  be  here  as 
soon  after  daylight  as  possible,  and  reckon  by  that  time 
there  will  be  a  bigger  crowd  around  the  shop  than  has 
been  seen  for  many  a  day." 


28  UNDER    THE   LIBERTY   TREE. 

Then  the  conspirators  separated,  each  going  to  his  own 
home,  and  there  was  not  in  the  minds  of  a  single  member 
of  the  party  the  slightest  forebodings  of  the  terrible 
tragedy  which  was  to  follow  their  attempt  to  teach  Master 
Theophilus  Lillie  his  duty. 


CHAPTER    II. 

FIRST     FRUITS. 

the  morning  following  the  assembly  at  Liberty 
Hall,  which  resulted  in  the  warning  given  to  Master 
Theophilus  Lillie,  Hardy  Baker,  regardless  of  the  fact  that 
Lieutenant  Draper's  account  had  been  given  him  in  con- 
sideration of  strict  attention  to  duty,  went  from  his  home 
directly  to  Hanover  Street,  instead  of  to  the  hair-dressing 
establishment  of  Master  Piemont,  as  he  should  have  done. 

Once  on  Hanover  Street,  all  thought  of  duty  was  for- 
gotten as  he  viewed,  with  no  slight  degree  of  pride,  that 
scene  of  excitement,  in  the  cause  of  which  he  had  assisted. 

The  pole,  surmounted  by  the  mutilated  figurehead  of 
the  sloop  and  decorated  with  the  names  of  the  merchants 
who  had  been  faithless  to  their  agreement,  was  yet  in 
position,  as  he  and  his  companions  had  left  it  a  short  time 
previous,  and,  although  the  new  day  was  but  half  an  hour 
old,  the  throng  in  front  of  Master  Lillie's  shop  was  so 
great  as  to  entirely  block  the  street. 

The  first  passerby,  after  the  darkness  of  night  was  so 
far  dissipated  that  the  object  could  be  readily  distinguished, 
had  stopped  several  moments  to  read  the  inscription  —  a 
difficult  task,  owing  to  the  faint  light.  While  deciphering, 
with  no  slight  amount  of  labour,  the  result  of  Jim  Gray's 


30  UNDER    THE  LIBERTY   TREE. 

work  as  a  painter,  the  man  had  been  joined  by  one  and 
another,  until  the  walk  directly  in  front  of  the  shop  was 
crowded  to  overflowing  with  the  curious,  the  throng  swell- 
ing far  out  into  the  street,  and  added  to  each  moment, 
until,  when  Hardy  Baker  arrived,  it  had  become  a  mob  — 
a  good-natured,  careless  gathering,  but  yet  a  mob,  which 
needed  but  slight  provocation  to  render  it  unmanageable 
and  dangerous. 

It  filled  Hardy  Baker's  sensation-loving  heart  with  joy 
to  see  the  result  of  the  labour  in  which  he  had  assisted. 

For  the  moment  he  forgot  that  the  idea  of  this  symbol 
of  warning  was  Jim  Gray's,  and  took  upon  himself  all  the 
credit  of  having  thus  aroused  the  populace. 

"Could  Lieutenant  Draper  know  I  have  been  able  to  do 
so  much  he  would  be  more  ready  to  settle  his  account,  I 
fancy,"  Hardy  muttered.  "  If  he  thinks  a  barber's  ap- 
prentice has  no  influence,  he  should  look  at  this  scene. 
There  are  nearly  as  many  people  here  as  saw  the  informer 
tarred  and  feathered,  and  I  have  had  considerably  more 
than  a  finger  in  both  pies.  This  should  show  the  good 
people  of  Boston  what  I  can  do.  Hello,  Chris  !  Both 
Christophers,  eh  ? " 

This  salutation  was  addressed  to  little  Chris  Snyder, 
who  was  early  abroad  according  to  the  agreement  made  on 
the  night  previous,  and  his  companion,  Christopher  Gore,* 
a  lad  whom  Master  Snyder  had  brought  to  the  scene  under 
promise  of  showing  him  something  rare. 

*  In  1809  tnis  same  Christopher  Gore  became  Governor  of  the  Common- 
wealth of  Massachusetts. 


FfJfST  FRUITS.  31 

"  Has  Master  Lillie  seen  that  yet  ?  "  Snyder  asked,  glee- 
fully, as  he  motioned  with  his  thumb  toward  the  pole. 

"  I  can  't  say.  I  have  been  here  only  a  few  moments, 
and  when  I  came  the  throng  was  as  great  as  you  see  it 
now." 

"  It  is  n't  reasonable  to  suppose  the  shopkeeper  does  n't 
know  what  has  caused  so  great  a  gathering,"  Chris  Gore 
said,  placidly,  and  added,  with  a  meaning  look  at  Hardy, 
"  If  I  had  taken  any  part  in  raising  that  warning  I  should 
be  careful  to  keep  the  fact  a  secret." 

"  Why  ?  "  Hardy  asked,  quickly,  and  looking  just  a  trifle 
disturbed. 

"  Because  more  may  come  of  it  than  in  the  case  of  the 
informer.  Master  Theophilus  Lillie,  although  he  may  not 
be  loved  by  some  of  us,  is  patronised  by  Governor  Hutch- 
inson." 

"  Well,  and  what  then  ?  He  made  an  agreement,  only 
to  break  it  before  the  words  were  cold,  and  should  suffer 
for  it,"  Hardy  replied,  defiantly. 

"  I  am  not  defending  him,  but  simply  gave  words  to  my 
thoughts." 

"  And  you  believe  trouble  will  come  to  those  who  put 
that  up?" 

"  I  said  not  so,  yet  I  believe  it  will  be  well  if  those  who 
have  thus  advised  Master  Lillie  keep  the  fact  that  they 
were  concerned  in  the  work  a  secret.  Who  is  that  now 
coming  from  the  house  ?  " 

"  Ebenezer  Richardson,  the  informer,  and  Amos's  uncle. 
Surely  you  should  know  him." 


32  UNDER    THE  LIBERTY   TREE. 

11 1  never  saw  him  before,  but  have  heard  much  of  his 
doings." 

"And  so  have  others,"  Hardy  replied,  in  a  significant 
tone.  "  If  he  is  wise  he  will  stay  in  the  house  this  day, 
for  there  yet  remains  in  the  city  of  Boston  plenty  of  tar 
and  feathers." 

"  And  you  think  he  may  get  a  new  coat  ?  " 

"  It  won't  be  long  coming,"  the  barber's  apprentice 
replied,  in  a  meaning  tone,  as  if  his  especial  mission  in  life 
was  to  correct  the  shortcomings  of  others.  "  Now  that 
this  work  has  been  begun  by  the  boys  of  Boston,  it  will  be 
continued  by  them." 

"You  said  that  this  Richardson  is  a  relative  of  our 
friend  Amos  ? " 

"An  uncle,  but  Amos  has  cast  him  off  long  since,"  and 
Hardy's  assumption  of  importance  was  almost  comical. 
"  He  is  reading  the  names  now  ;  perhaps  thinks  he  is 
called  upon  to  protect  Master  Lillie.  As  I  said  before, 
he  had  best  remain  hidden  from  view.  How  Amos  would 
rage  if  he  could  see  his  uncle  at  this  moment !  " 

"  Then  he  has  no  love  for  him  ?  " 

"  As  much  as  a  frog  has  for  a  red  rag." 

The  mob,  who  had  been  in  the  best  possible  humour, 
now  began  to  show  signs  of  anger  as  the  informer  made 
himself  conspicuous,  and  half-muttered  words  soon  became 
loudly-spoken  threats. 

"The  informer  himself  should  hang  from  that  pole !  " 

"  Where  are  the  feathers  ?     He  needs  a  new  coat !  " 

"Down  with  the  informer  !  " 


FIRST  FRUITS.  33 

Richardson  turned  toward  the  mob  an  instant,  as  if  to 
defy  it,  and  then,  as  the  threats  grew  louder,  entered  the 
house. 

"  Whoever  did  that  bit  of  work  should  be  well  paid 
for  it,"  some  one  in  the  crowd  said,  sufficiently  loud  for 
Hardy  to  hear,  and  the  latter  looked  triumphantly  toward 
Chris  Snyder.  "  1 :11  wager  it  came  from  under  the 
Liberty  Tree." 

"  You  're  right,  my  friend,"  the  barber's  apprentice 
said,  in  a  loud  tone,  and  in  another  moment  he  would 
have  revealed  that  which  should  be  kept  a  secret,  had  not 
the  arrival  of  several  British  officers  given  him,  in  his 
opinion,  an  opportunity  of  yet  further  distinguishing 
himself. 

"  There  is  Lieutenant  Draper,"  he  said,  sufficiently 
loud  for  all  in  the  immediate  vicinity  to  hear,  "  and  this 
time  he  shall  listen  to  what  I  have  to  say,  unless  he  is 
willing  to  settle  his  account." 

"  Are  you  going  to  speak  to  that  officer  ? "  Chris  Gore 
asked,  as  he  detained  Hardy  for  an  instant  by  stepping  in 
front  of  him. 

"  Why  not  ?     He  should  pay  that  which  he  owes." 

"  But  this  is  not  the  proper  time  to  speak  of  business 
affairs.  No  man  would  listen  to  a  barber's  apprentice  in 
public,  like  this." 

"  He  shall  listen  to  me,"  Master  Piemont's  assistant 
replied,  loftily.  "  It  is  to  me  he  owes  the  money,  and  I 
do  not  intend  to  be  defrauded." 

Before   his    companion    could    check    him,   the  valiant 


34  UNDER    THE  LIBERTY   TREE. 

Hardy  stepped  quickly  up  to  Lieutenant  Draper,  who  was 
in  company  with  two  brother  officers,  and  said,  in  an 
offensive  tone : 

"  I  was  at  the  Custom  House  yesterday  to  see  you, 
sir." 

"And  pray,  why  did  you  take  it  upon  yourself  to  go 
there?"  the  lieutenant  asked. 

"  Because  I  wanted  the  money  you  owe  Master  Pie- 
mont  for  dressing  your  hair,  and  I  went  where  I  was 
most  likely  to  find  you." 

The  lieutenant's  face  grew  pale  with  anger,  and  he 
made  a  motion  as  if  to  strike  the  impudent  boy,  but  one 
of  his  companions  said,  in  a  warning  whisper  : 

"  Be  careful  what  you  do,  Draper.  An  injudicious 
word  or  act  now  might  arouse  this  apparently  peaceable 
assemblage  into  an  unruly  mob  !  " 

Glancing  around  him,  the  officer  realised  the  truth  of 
the  remark,  and  would  have  turned  away  but  that  Hardy 
stepped  yet  nearer,  and,  in  a  louder  voice,  cried  : 

"  Will  you  give  me  the  money  now,  or  shall  I  visit  the 
Custom  House  again  ?  " 

"  Hark  you,  lad,"  Lieutenant  Draper  said,  angrily,  but 
speaking  so  low  that  only  those  in  the  immediate  vicinity 
could  hear  the  words,  "  if  you  dare  present  your  barber's 
account  to  me  in  public,  I  '11  have  you  punished  for  an 
insolent  cur.  When  I  am  ready  to  pay  your  master,  I 
will  call  at  his  shop." 

"  The  account  belongs  to  me.  It  has  been  turned  over 
by  Master  Piemont,  and  the  money  must  be  paid." 


FIRST  FRUITS.  37 

"  Be  careful  of  your  words,  my  fine  fellow,  or  they  will 
lead  you  into  trouble  !  " 

The  lieutenant  was  now  almost  beside  himself  with 
anger,  and,  understanding  that  he  might  do  something 
rash,  his  brother  officers  literally  forced  him  to  accom- 
pany them  up  the  street,  while  the  barber's  apprentice, 
not  wishing  to  leave  the  scene  of  what  he  considered  his 
triumph,  hurled  insolent  epithets  after  the  soldiers. 

"What  are  you  doing,  Hardy  Baker?  Do  you  want 
to  bring  about  a  riot  ?  " 

Turning  quickly,  Master  Piemont's  assistant  saw  his 
friend  Amos,  who  had  just  come  up,  and  he  retorted  : 

"  I  am  attending  to  my  own  affairs." 

"  It  is  better  you  should  do  that  in  private.  You  have 
no  right  to  brawl  in  the  streets,  even  though  your  debtor 
be  an  enemy." 

"  I  have  the  right  to  do  that  which  I  please,  and  it  will 
become  you  better  to  turn  your  attention  to  the  informer, 
who  is  at  the  same  time  your  relative." 

"What  do  you  mean  by  that?"  and  now  Amos  began 
to  display  signs  of  losing  his  temper,  for  the  part  in  pub- 
lic affairs  which  Ebenezer  Richardson  had  been  playing 
latterly  was  a  sore  subject  to  him.  "What  has  he  been 
doing  ? " 

"  Nothing,  as  yet.  It  is  what  he  may  do  that  I 
speak  of." 

"But  he  is  not  here." 

"  He  came  out  of  Master  Lillie's  a  few  moments  ago, 
and  would  have  torn  down  the  pole  but  for  the  crowd 


38  UNDER    THE   LIBERTY   TREE. 

which  threatened  him.  There  he  is  now,  and  while  you 
are  watching  your  precious  uncle,  I  '11  continue  to  demand 
my  money  from  that  red-coated  lieutenant,  if  it  so  pleases 
me !  " 

"  Do  as  you  choose,"  Amos  cried,  in  a  rage,  "and  some 
day  you  will  realise  what  a  fool's  back  deserves." 

Then,  understanding  that  no  credit  could  be  gained  by 
bandying  words  with  one  like  the  barber's  apprentice,  he 
stepped  nearer  the  two  Christophers,  as  the  mob,  agitated 
by  the  sight  of  the  informer,  watched  eagerly  his  every 
movement. 

A  wagon  was  coming  down  the  street,  and  it  appeared 
to  Amos  as  if  his  uncle  must  have  seen  the  team  ap- 
proaching and  hurried  out  of  the  building  to  speak  with 
the  driver,  for  he  made  his  way  around  the  throng,  as  he 
beckoned  vigourously  to  the  newcomer. 

The  vehicle  was  a  roughly -made  cart  for  hauling  coun- 
try produce,  drawn  by  two  horses,  and  partially  loaded 
with  potatoes  and  corn. 

The  driver  reined  in  his  steeds  as  the  informer  advanced, 
and  those  nearest  heard  Richardson  say : 

"  Look  here,  Stephen,  I  want  you  to  pull  your  team  so 
far  in  toward  Master  Lillie's  shop  that  you  '11  run  against 
that  pole  and  overturn  it." 

"  To  what  purpose  ?  "  the  countryman  asked,  in  surprise. 

"  It  is  intended  as  an  insult  to  Master  Lillie,  and  you, 
as  one  of  his  friends,  should  be  willing  to  do  so  slight  a 
favour." 

"  I  am  a  friend  of  Theophilus  Lillie  in  matters  of  busi- 


F7KST  FRUITS.  39 

ness,  Ebenezer  Richardson  ;  but,  when  it  comes  to  opinions, 
such  as  some  of  us  hold  and  others  don't,  I  am  not  favour- 
ably disposed  toward  the  worthy  merchant,  as  he  himself 
well  knows.  What  is  this  insult  ? " 

The  farmer  descended  from  the  wagon,  and  that  portion 
of  the  throng  which  had  heard  his  reply  readily  gave  way 
before  him  as  he  advanced,  until  he  could  read  the  names 
painted  on  the  board. 

"  What  does  it  all  mean  ?  "  he  asked  of  the  man  stand- 
ing nearest  him. 

"  Master  Lillie  is  one  of  those  who  agreed  not  to  sell 
British  goods,  and  has  not  only  broken  that  agreement, 
but  declares  that  no  one  shall  prevent  him  from  dealing  in 
such  wares  as  he  thinks  fit." 

"  But  the  names  painted  there  ?  " 

"  Are  those  of  the  other  merchants  who  believe  as  does 
Master  Lillie." 

"  Who  raised  this  pole  ?  " 

"  That  is  what  no  one  can  say ;  but  it  is  safe  to  guess 
it  came  from  under  the  Liberty  Tree." 

The  farmer  returned  to  his  team,  and  Richardson  asked, 
eagerly : 

"Now  will  you  run  it  down  ?  " 

"No,  Ebenezer.  It  was  put  there  by  Master  Lillie's 
townsmen,  and  I  have  no  right  to  interfere,  even  though  I 
had  the  inclination,  which  I  have  n't.  A  man  who  gives 
his  word  of  his  own  free  will  should  hold  to  it  or  take  the 
consequences.  As  I  said  before,  Master  Lillie' s  opinions, 
outside  of  business  affairs,  are  not  my  opinions." 


40  UNDER    THE  LIBERTY   TREE. 

"  You  are  a  coward  !  " 

« I  live  in  Massachusetts  Colony,  and  am  not  willing 
to  pay  taxes  for  the  privilege  of  buying  goods  from  Brit- 
ishers." 

Then  the  farmer  mounted  his  cart,  and  the  crowd,  wild 
with  enthusiasm,  cheered  lustily  his  sentiments,  opening  a 
passage  for  him  as  he  urged  his  horses  forward. 


"  You  are  cowards,  all  of  you  !  "  Richardson  cried,  as  if 
beside  himself  with  rage.  "  A  mob  of  a  thousand  men 
stand  by  and  see  an  old  man  insulted  like  this  !  " 

"  Your  old  man  has  laid  himself  open  to  the  insult,  and 
deserves  it,"  some  one  cried. 

"  He  shall  not  be  forced  to  endure  it,"  and  the  informer 
seized  the  pole  as  if  to  pull  it  from  the  ground,  regarding 


FIRST  FRUITS.  41 

not  the  shouts  and  threats  which  assailed  his  ears  from 
every  direction. 

Now  it  was  that  Hardy  Baker  saw  an  opportunity  to 
distinguish  himself,  as  he  thought,  and,  gathering  a  hand- 
ful of  pebbles  from  the  street,  he  threw  them  viciously  at 
Richardson. 

The  mob  needed  only  an  example,  and,  before  one  could 
have  counted  ten,  young  men  and  boys  were  pelting  the 
informer  with  such  missiles  as  came  nearest  to  hand. 

Stones,  bits  of  earth,  sticks  and  icicles  were  hurled  at 
him  with  no  slight  accuracy  of  aim,  and,  under  such  a 
shower,  the  informer  could  do  no  less  than  beat  a  retreat, 
for  to  have  held  his  ground  longer  would  have  been  dan- 
gerous. 

Already  his  face  and  hands  were  cut  and  bleeding,  and 
more  than  once  had  a  rock,  sufficiently  large  to  have 
knocked  him  senseless,  whistled  within  a  few  inches  of  his 
head. 

As  he  disappeared  within  the  shop  some  of  the  younger 
members  of  the  mob,  chief  among  whom  was  Hardy 
Baker,  continued  to  shower  missiles,  until  they  rattled 
against  the  building  like  hailstones ;  but  this  method  of 
showing  displeasure  at  the  merchant's  course  of  action  was 
frowned  down  by  the  wiser  portion  of  the  gathering,  and 
the  boys  were  soon  forced  to  desist. 

"  It  was  well  enough  to  prevent  him  from  taking  down 
the  pole,"  some  one  cried  ;  "  but,  when  it  comes  to  destroy- 
ing property,  we're  going  beyond  our  rights." 

"  He  will  soon  destroy  that  which  cost  so  much  labour  to 


42  UNDER    THE  LIBERTY  TREE. 

put  up  !  "  Hardy  Baker  shouted.      "  He  has  only  to  wait 
until  we  are  obliged  to  go  away," 

"That  may  be  a  longer  time  than  he  thinks  for," 
Attucks,  a  mulatto  who  was  well  known  to  all,  replied. 
"  When  it  comes  to  such  work  as  this  we  can  afford  to  let 
everything  else  go.  That  pole  will  stand  where  it  is  a 
spell  longer,  my  boy." 

"  But  not  all  are  of  your  way  of  thinking.  It  cost  much 
labour  to  place  it  there,  and  it  should  remain  until  Master 
Lillie  understands  he  cannot  play  fast  and  loose  with  the 
people,"  and  now  Hardy,  having  forced  his  way  into  the 
centre  of  the  throng,  was  almost  bursting  with  the  desire 
to  explain  that  he  had  assisted  in  this  good  work. 

He  was  ready  at  the  first  opportunity  to  take  upon  him- 
self all  the  credit  of  having  devised  the  symbol  and  erected 
it ;  but  there  were  none  near  who  cared  particularly  to 
listen  to  the  barber's  apprentice,  whose  love  for  notoriety 
was  his  ruling  passion. 

Besides,  even  though  they  had  been  desirous  of  hearing 
what  he  was  so  eager  to  say,  no  heed  would  have  been 
given  his  words  just  then,  for  at  that  moment  the  door  of 
the  shop  was  opened  again,  and  Richardson  appeared,  fol- 
lowed by  his  friend,  David  Wilmot. 

At  first  no  one  appeared  to  observe  that  the  informer 
was  armed,  and  then,  as  some  one  noted  the  fact  that  he 
carried  a  musket,  the  cry  was  raised  : 

"  Down  with  the  informer  !  Down  with  the  informer  ! 
Hang  him  to  the  pole  !  Bring  out  the  tar  and  feathers  I 
Give  him  an  informer's  uniform  !  " 


FIRST  FRUITS.  43 

That  portion  of  the  mob  farthest  from  the  building,  un- 
able to  see  clearly  what  was  going  on,  pressed  forward, 
forcing  those  in  front  yet  nearer  the  shop,  and  for  an  in- 
stant it  appeared  as  if  the  entire  assemblage  was  bent  on 
making  a  prisoner  of  Richardson. 

Raising  his  musket  quickly,  and,  without  taking  aim,  he 
fired,  and  as  the  report  rang  out,  even  above  the  shrill  cries 
of  the  infuriated  multitude,  it  was  as  if  the  sharp  crack 
of  the  weapon  had  alarmed  him  who  discharged  it,  for,  turn- 
ing precipitately,  driving  Wilmot  before  him,  the  informer 
rushed  into  the  building,  closing  the  door  behind  him. 

Those  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  warning  symbol, 
and  nearest  the  informer,  were  unharmed,  and,  believing 
no  injury  had  been  done  by  the  discharge  of  the  musket, 
they  set  up  a  howl  of  derision,  which  was  checked  an 
instant  later  as  a  wailing  cry  came  from  the  walk  opposite. 

"  Chris  Snyder  's  killed  !     Chris  Snyder  's  killed  !  " 

"Chris  Gore's  killed!"  another  cried.  "Help! 
Stand  back ;  you  are  trampling  him  to  death  !  " 

Turning  as  one  man,  the  startled  assemblage  rushed 
frantically  toward  that  quarter  from  which  the  ominous 
words  had  come,  pressing  down  upon  the  little  group  that 
had  gathered  around  something  on  the  ground,  until 
there  was  every  danger  these  few  would  be  trampled 
under  foot. 

During  several  moments  no  one  outside  the  awe- 
stricken  circle  on  the  walk  knew  really  what  had  occurred, 
and  then  it  was  whispered  —  not  spoken  —  among  the 
gathering : 


44  UNDER    THE   LIBERTY   TREE. 

"  Two  boys  have  been  killed  !  " 

A  silence  that  was  profound,  intense  —  a  silence  which 
was  at  the  same  time  a  menace,  ensued,  and,  involuntarily, 
every  head  was  bared. 

Amos,  who  had  been  standing  beside  the  two  Chris- 
tophers, was  one  of  the  few  who  knew  exactly  what 
followed  the  discharge  of  the  weapon. 

Little  Chris  Snyder,  the  smallest  and  perhaps  the 
youngest  of  the  throng,  had  fallen  with  an  ominous- 
looking  wound  in  the  vicinity  of  his  lungs,  and  Chris 
Gore  was  leaning  against  the  palings,  big  crimson  drops 
falling  from  his  shoulder  to  the  frozen  earth. 

Amos,  at  once  recognising  the  fact  that  Snyder  was 
the  most  grievously  wounded,  raised  the  little  German 
lad's  head  tenderly  on  his  arm  as  he  implored  those  near- 
est to  keep  the  crowd  back,  and  when  the  excited  ones  in 
the  rear  finally  understood  what  was  required,  every  order 
given  by  Amos,  boy  though  he  was,  received  implicit 
obedience. 

Rough  men  lifted  the  little  lad  as  gently  as  his  widowed 
mother  could  have  done,  and  one  asked  : 

"  Where  does  he  live  ? " 

"  On  Frog  Lane.*  Chris  Gore  must  be  attended  to 
also." 

"  I  can  take  care  of  myself.  It  is  n't  much  of  a  hurt, 
this  on  my  shoulder." 

"But  it  ought  to  be  dressed  at  once,  and  I  am  not 
certain  you  should  be  allowed  to  walk,"  Amos  said, 
hurriedly. 

*  Now  Boylston  Street. 


FIRST  FRUITS.  47 

"There  will  be  no  danger;  you  can  go  with  me. 
There  are  plenty  who  will  see  that  poor  little  Chris  is 
cared  for.  Some  one  should  go  ahead  to  tell  his  mother 
he  is  hurt,  and  to  call  a  surgeon." 

"  I  '11  take  care  of  that  part  of  it,"  Hardy  Baker  cried, 
quickly.  "  Leave  it  to  me." 

Amos  seized  the  excited  barber  before  he  could  move, 
for  he  knew  how  Hardy  would  break  the  sad  news  to  the 
poor  mother,  and  did  not  intend  she  should  suffer  more 
than  was  absolutely  necessary. 

"  Here  is  Master  Revere !  "  he  said,  with  a  sigh  of 
relief,  as  he  struggled  to  prevent  the  apprentice  from 
leaving  him.  "  He  is  the  one  who  should  speak  to  Mrs. 
Snyder,  not  you,  Hardy.  Take  hold  of  Chris  a  moment 
while  I  speak  with  him." 

Master  Piemont's  assistant  was  not  pleased  at  thus 
being  prevented  from  appearing  as  one  of  the  principal 
characters  in  this  terrible  drama ;  but  Chris  Gore,  under- 
standing as  well  as  did  Amos,  why  Hardy  should  not  be 
allowed  to  go  to  the  widow's  home,  forced  him  to  remain 
by  saying : 

"You  must  stay  with  me  until  I  can  get  home." 

"  Are  you  hurt  very  much  ?  " 

"  It  may  be  that  I  am,"  Gore  replied,  knowing  that  if  he 
made  light  of  his  wounds  Hardy  would  consider  himself 
at  liberty  to  act  upon  his  own  suggestion. 

Hurriedly  Amos  explained  to  the  goldsmith  what  had 
occurred,  and  what  he  desired  the  latter  to  do,  after 
which  he  came  back  to  his  two  friends. 


48  UNDER    THE  LIBERTY   TREE. 

"Master  Revere  will  go  to  poor  Chris's  mother,  and 
since  there  are  more  than  enough  to  give  him  all  the  care 
he  needs,  we  can  attend  to  you." 

"  Do  you  think  the  little  fellow  will  die  ?  "  Gore  asked, 
more  concerned  regarding  his  friend  than  for  himself. 

"  I  am  afraid  the  wound  is  a  serious  one,"  Amos 
replied,  sadly.  "  The  blood  was  coming  from  his  mouth, 
and  I  am  told  that  is  a  bad  sign." 

"  If  it 's  signs  you  're  looking  for,  see  there ! "  and 
Hardy  pointed  up  the  street,  where  the  crowd  was  march- 
ing as  if  in  procession  behind  those  who  carried  the 
dying  boy.  "  If  that  does  n't  look  like  a  funeral,  what 
should  you  say  it  was?" 

Amos  gave  one  quick  glance  and  turned  his  head  away. 

It  seemed  as  if  he  was  in  a  certain  degree  responsible 
for  this  death ;  but  the  barber's  apprentice,  who  was 
equally  culpable,  had  no  such  misgivings. 

One  would  have  said  Hardy  Baker  found  a  certain 
degree  of  pleasure  in  dwelling  upon  the  fact  that  he  had 
been  instrumental  in  this  day's  work,  since  it  would  bring 
his  name  into  greater  prominence  than  he  could  ever  have 
hoped  for  otherwise,  however  conscientiously  he  might 
discharge  his  duties  as  Master  Piemont's  apprentice. 


CHAPTER    III. 

LIBERTY     HALL. 

X  TOT  until  nightfall,  on  this  day  of  the  tragical  ending 
**•  ^  to  the  lesson  given  Master  Lillie  and  the  other  faith- 
less merchants,  did  Amos  Richardson  meet  those  who  had 
aided  him  in  the  work  of  erecting  the  symbol  in  front  of 
the  shop  on  Hanover  Street. 

He  and  Hardy  Baker  had  assisted  Chris  Gore  to  his 
home,  and  the  injured  boy's  father  had  sent  the  barber's 
apprentice  in  search  of  a  surgeon. 

There  was  nothing  Amos  could  do  to  aid  this  family, 
and  having  no  desire  to  listen  to  Hardy's  foolish  threats, 
as  he  would  probably  be  forced  to  do  in  case  he  waited  for 
that  young  gentleman's  return,  he  walked  slowly  toward 
Frog  Lane,  repeating  again  and  again  to  himself  that,  if 
little  Chris  Snyder's  death  should  follow  as  a  result  of  his 
wound,  those  who  had  erected  the  symbol  of  warning 
would  at  least  be  morally  responsible. 

He  had  arrived  at  the  Liberty  Tree,  where  was  a  great 
throng  of  people  waiting,  as  if  believing  that  here  in  the 
so  -  called  Liberty  Hall  they  would  the  sooner  receive 
tidings  of  the  injured  lad's  condition,  when  he  met  Master 
Revere,  returning  to  his  place  of  business. 

"  I  think,  Amos,"  the  goldsmith  said,  as  he  attracted 
the  boy's  attention  by  tapping  him  on  the  shoulder,  "  that 


UNDER    THE   LIBERTY  TREE. 


it  would  be  well  if  you  were  to  go  to  the  Widow  Snyder's 

home.     She  may  need  assistance  in  caring  for  her  son, 

and  you  are  more  to  be  relied  upon  than  any  lad  of  your 

age  whom  I  know." 

"Is  she  alone,  sir  ?  " 
"  Yes,  so  far  as  the  interior  of  the 
dwelling  is  concerned  ;  but  her  home 
is  surrounded  by  a  troop  of  people 
who    think,    mayhap,    they    show 
sympathy    by    evincing    curi- 
osity.    The  little    dwelling 
was   absolutely   choked    by 
those  who  followed  Chris  ; 
but  when  the   surgeon   ar- 
rived   he  very  rightly    and 
promptly  ordered  the  house 
to  be  cleared.      I  promised 
to  send  some   person    who 
was  sufficiently  clear- 
headed to  be  of  service  to 
the  sorrowing  widow." 
"  How  is  Chris,  sir  ?  " 

"  His  life,  probably,  cannot  be  saved.  The  surgeon 
declares  that  he  has  but  a  few  hours,  at  the  most,  to  live ; 
that  the  wound  is  necessarily  mortal." 

"Master  Revere,"  and  Amos  spoke  in  a  most  sorrowful 
tone,  "  think  you  that  those  who  placed  the  head  in  front 
of  Master  Lillie's  shop  can  be  blamed  for  the  death  of 
poor  Chris  ? " 


LIBERTY  HALL.  51 

The  goldsmith  looked  at  Amos,  searchingly,  a  few  sec- 
onds, and  then  turned  his  eyes  away. 

"  I  think  I  understand  why  you  ask  that  question,  Amos 
Richardson,  and  sorry  I  am  there  should  be  the  necessity 
for  such  thoughts  in  your  mind.  But  he  who  would  say 
those  who  thus  attracted  attention  to  Master  Lillie's  short- 
comings could  be  held  in  any  way  as  contributing  to  the 
poor  boy's  death,  would,  perforce,  twist  his  arguments 
sadly.  That  which  was  done  last  night  was  not  begun 
with  any  idea  the  ending  could,  by  any  possibility,  be  what 
it  is.  Therefore,  while  it  is  a  most  deplorable  affair,  one 
which,  perhaps,  may  mean  more  than  the  killing  of  a 
human  being,  you  must  not  let  your  heart  be  troubled. 
God  works  in  wondrous  ways,  and  who  shall  say  that  He 
has  not  shaped  this  for  some  wise  purpose  ?  Go,  now,  to 
the  house  of  mourning,  my  boy,  and  aid  that  bereaved 
mother  as  best  you  can.  Before  nightfall  I  will  send  some 
one  to  relieve  you  of  your  sad  duty." 

Thus  it  was  that  Amos  had  spent  the  day  at  Frog 
Lane,  and  not  until  Master  Revere  had  fulfilled  his  prom- 
ise relative  to  sending  another  did  he  leave  the  dying  lad, 
who  was  already  being  spoken  of  in  the  city  as  "  the  first 
martyr  to  the  noble  cause"  and  the  "first  victim  to  the 
cruelty  and  rage  of  oppressors." 

Little  Chris  had  not  been  conscious  from  the  moment 
he  was  brought  into  the  house,  nor  could  any  word,  save 
that  he  was  sinking  slowly,  be  given  to  those  who  called 
at  short  intervals  to  inquire  regarding  his  condition. 

When  Amos  arrived  at  the  Liberty  Tree  once  more, 


52  UNDER    THE   LIBERTY   TREE. 

several  hundred  people  were  there,  eager  to  learn  the 
latest  intelligence  regarding  Chris ;  but  he  could  only 
make  the  same  reply  he  had  made  so  often  during  the 
day,  and  when  it  was  learned  that  he  really  had  no  other 
information  than  this  to  impart,  the  sympathetic  or  the 
curious  ones  fell  back,  gathering  in  little  groups  to  discuss 
the  terrible  events  of  the  day,  as  they  had  been  discussing 
them  since  early  morning. 

When  he  was  thus  left  comparatively  alone,  Amos  ob- 
served, for  the  first  time,  that  Jim  Gray  was  present  at 
this  open-air  meeting ;  that  Jim's  eyes  were  red,  as  with 
much  weeping,  and  that  he  paced  to  and  fro,  speaking  to 
no  one,  even  refusing  to  reply  when  accosted. 

Amos  understood  what  was  in  his  friend's  mind,  and  he 
hastened  to  apply  the  same  balm  with  which  Master  Re- 
vere had  cheered  him. 

"That's  the  way  I  have  tried  to  figure  it,"  Jim  replied, 
after  listening  patiently  to  a  repetition  of  the  goldsmith's 
remarks  on  the  subject.  "Yet,  at  the  same  time,  Amos, 
it  is  a  fact  that  poor  little  Chris  would  not  be  dying  this 
evening  if  we  had  n't  taken  it  into  our  heads  to  give 
Master  Lillie  a  warning;  and  whether  or  no  it  be  that 
there  is  more  in  this  than  we  can  see  now,  as  Master 
Revere  proposes,  we  shall  be  forced  to  remember  that 
through  us,  and  no  one  else,  was  Chris  drawn  into  the 
matter." 

"  But  think  of  this,  Jim  :  he  did  not  receive  the  wound 
while  we  were  putting  the  pole  into  position,  but  after- 
wards, when  he  was  only  a  spectator,  and  he  might  have 


LIBERTY  HALL.  53 

been  there,  even  though  knowing  nothing  of  what  was 
done  last  night." 

"  Yet  if  the  pole  had  n't  been  put  up  he  would  not  have 
been  there,  even  as  a  spectator,"  Jim  persisted. 

"  That  is  true,  and  I  wish  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart 
that  we  had  had  no  hand  in  it ;  but  it  has  been  done  now, 
and  repentance  is  of  no  avail,  so  far  as  poor  little  Chris  is 
concerned.  The  whole  city  is  aroused,  and  I  have  heard 
those  say,  who  should  know,  that  most  likely  this  will 
lead  to  the  soldiers  being  driven  out  of  town." 

"Think  you  that  could  be  done  without  bloodshed? 
General  Gage,  as  an  officer  in  the  King's  army,  has  no 
right  to  leave  this  city  unless  obliged  to  by  force  of  arms." 

"  Whatever  may  come  of  it,  I  know  not ;  but  — 

"  Well,  I  can  tell  you,"  and  Hardy  Baker,  who  had 
approached  unobserved,  stepped  in  front  of  his  two 
friends  with  the  air  of  one  whose  shoulders  are  weighted 
heavily  with  burden  of  state.  "  Of  course  I  am  in  a 
way  to  hear  a  good  deal  more  than  you  fellows  because 
so  many  of  Master  Piemont's  patrons  are  Britishers. 
The  '  bloody  backs '  themselves  say  this  is  really  the 
beginning  of  insubordination  in  the  Colonies,  and  before 
many  months  have  passed  the  King  will  find  it  necessary 
to  punish  us  severely.  It  may  be  learned  that  we  won't 
submit  as  readily  as  they  seem  to  fancy." 

"  But  how  could  it  be  avoided  ? "  Amos  asked,  impa- 
tiently ;  for  the  tone  in  which  the  barber's  apprentice 
spoke,  and  the  swagger  he  had  assumed,  grated  harshly 
upon  the  boy's  nerves. 


54  UNDER    THE  LIBERTY   TREE. 

"We'll  arouse  the  people  to  action,"  Hardy  replied, 
loftily. 

"Yes,  and  in  the  meanwhile  the  King  will  have  sent 
over  more  soldiers  to  whip  us  into  submission.  If  such 
men  as  Master  Adams  are  unable  to  remedy  this  state  of 
affairs,  I  don't  believe  the  yoke  of  oppression,  which 
bears  so  heavily  upon  the  Colonies,  will  be  removed  by 
any  effort  at  Master  Piemont's  hair -dressing  shop." 

"It  is  all  very  well  for  you  to  sneer  when  you  don't 
understand  the  situation ;  but  your  harsh  words  won't 
alter  the  facts,  and  I  tell  you,  Amos  Richardson,  you 
will  see  yet  more  blood  spilled." 

"  And  you  propose  to  take  a  hand  in  the  spilling,  I 
suppose  ? " 

"  I  shall  be  wherever  anything  of  the  kind  is  going  on, 
of  that  you  may  rest  assured.  Do  you  know  where  your 
uncle  is  at  this  moment  ?  " 

"No." 

"The  people  made  prisoners  of  Wilmot  and  him,  and 
carried  them  both  to  Faneuil  Hall,  where  they  have  been 
examined  and  committed  for  trial.  He  will  be  hanged  for 
murder." 

"  As  he  should  be,  even  though  he  is  my  uncle !  But 
when  that  has  been  done,  what  then  ? " 

"  You  shall  see,"  the  barber's  apprentice  replied,  in  a 
prophetic  tone.  "  I  am  not  through  with  this  matter 
yet." 

Then  Master  Baker  walked  slowly  away,  as  if  the  fate 
of  the  Colony  of  Massachusetts  was  in  his  keeping. 


LIBERTY  HALL.  55 

The  interview  with  Master  Piemont's  assistant  did  not 
serve  to  cheer  either  Amos  or  Jim,  but  rather  further 
distressed  them  in  mind,  and,  after  trying  in  vain  each  to 
give  some  comfort  to  the  other,  the  two  went  to  Chris 
Gore's  home,  where  they  learned  that  he  was  resting 
comfortably,  in  no  danger  of  death. 

On  the  following  morning  the  tolling  of  the  bell  on 
New  Brick  Church  told  that  little  Chris  Snyder  was  dead, 
and  the  city  was  in  more  of  a  ferment,  if  possible,  than 
before. 

Liberty  Hall  was  crowded  with  people  who  had  gathered 
to  discuss  the  situation  of  affairs,  which  now  seemed  dan- 
gerous in  the  extreme,  and  threats  against  the  "  bloody 
backs"  were  openly  indulged  in. 

Amos  and  Jim  were  together  the  greater  portion  of 
the  time  which  intervened  between  Chris's  death  and  his 
funeral ;  but  saw  nothing  of  the  barber's  apprentice. 

They  had  been  selected,  together  with  four  others  of 
the  dead  boy's  friends,  to  act  as  pall  -  bearers,  and  on 
Monday  forenoon  performed  their  part  in  the  impressive 
ceremonies,  which  were  held  under  the  Liberty  Tree, 
when  beneath  it  was  placed  for  a  brief  time  the  coffin 
bearing  on  its  head  the  inscription,  "Innocentia  nusquam 
tuta;"  on  the  foot,  "Latat  anguis  in  herba;"  and  on 
either  side,  "Hceret  lateri  lethalis  anmdo" 

Four  hundred  schoolboys  marched  in  couples  behind 
the  casket  containing  all  that  was  mortal  of  Chris  Snyder ; 
thirteen  hundred  citizens  followed,  and  the  procession 
was  closed  by  thirty  chariots  and  chaises. 


56  UNDER    THE   LIBERTY   TREE. 

The  bells  of  Boston  and  the  neighbouring  towns  were 
tolled  as  the  procession  marched  from  Frog  Lane  to  the 
Liberty  Tree,  and  from  thence  to  the  bury  ing -ground, 
and  on  every  hand  the  little  fellow  was  spoken  of  as  the 
"first  martyr  in  the  cause  of  American  liberty." 

During  the  week  which  followed  the  funeral  ceremonies, 
Amos  and  Jim  were  much  together  in  the  home  of  Chris 
Gore,  whose  wound  was  rapidly  healing.  They  had  little 
or  no  intercourse  with  the  barber's  apprentice,  whom,  it 
was  rumoured,  had  made  friends  among  a  certain  set  of 
men  frequenting  the  resorts  on  the  water-front  of  the 
city. 

Neither  had  succeeded  in  convincing  himself  he  was 
wholly  blameless  for  the  tragedy  on  Hanover  Street,  and 
both  shunned  Hardy  Baker  as  much  as  possible  because 
of  the  ridiculous  threats  he  made  as  to  what  he  intended 
to  do,  and  cause  others  to  do,  against  the  soldiers. 

It  was  on  the  Friday  succeeding  the  funeral,  when 
Amos  and  Jim  were  together  in  the  yard  of  the  latter's 
home,  where  the  symbol  of  warning  to  Master  Lillie  had 
been  prepared,  that  the  barber's  apprentice  burst  in  upon 
them  like  a  whirlwind. 

Excitement  was  written  on  every  feature  of  his  face, 
and  several  seconds  elapsed  before  he  could  speak  coher- 
ently. Then  he  exclaimed  : 

"  It  has  come  at  last !     It  has  come  at  last  !  " 

"What  has  come?"  Amos  asked,  impatiently. 

"  The  '  bloody  backs '  are  to  be  driven  out  of  town. 
They  have  done  so  much  this  time  that  the  people  will 


LIBERTY  HALL.  57 

soon  put  an  end  to  them  !  It  seems  that  Chris  Snyder's 
murder  was  n't  enough  — 

"  But  the  soldiers  had  nothing  to  do  with  that,"  Jim 
said,  quickly.  "  We  three  are  the  guilty  ones." 

"  Now  you  are  talking  foolishly,"  Hardy  cried,  angrily. 
"  If  I  did  n't  know  you  two  fellows  as  well  as  I  do,  I  'd 
say  you  were  ready  to  make  friends  with  the  oppressors." 

"  We  have  no  desire  to  be  friendly  with  the  soldiers," 
Amos  replied,  thoughtfully,  "nor  can  I  understand  why 
we  should  announce  ourselves  as  their  enemies.  They 
have  done  nothing  to  us  personally ;  but  are  simply  sta- 
tioned here  in  obedience  to  the  King's  commands." 

"  Oh,  they  have  done  nothing  to  us,  eh  ?"  the  barber's 
apprentice  cried,  as  if  in  a  fury.  "  You  stand  here  and 
say  that,  after  what  has  happened  this  afternoon  ?  " 

"  Well,  what  has  happened  ? "  and  Jim  caught  the  ex- 
cited barber  by  the  coat  collar,  shaking  him  vigorously,  as 
if  he  believed  by  such  energetic  measures  he  might  be 
restored  to  his  scanty  senses. 

"  Come  down  under  the  Liberty  Tree  and  you  '11  find 
out  all  about  it.  I  tell  you  that  this  sort  of  thing  can't 
go  on  much  longer.  We  '11  rise  in  our  might,  as  Attucks 
says  ;  that 's  what  we  '11  do,  and  I  '11  help  in  the  rising  !  " 

"  Instead  of  continuing  such  ridiculous  threats  as  you 
have  been  making  since  the  funeral,  suppose  you  tell  us 
what  happened  this  afternoon  to  put  you  in  such  a  state 
of  excitement.  Has  some  other  Britisher  refused  to  pay 
your  master's  bill  ?  " 

"  This  is  a  matter  which  the  people  of  Boston  must  take 


58  UNDER    THE   LIBERTY   TREE. 

up,  and  that's  exactly  what  they  will  do?"  Hardy  cried, 
stammering  in  his  eagerness  to  relate  the  exciting  news. 
"  This  forenoon  one  of  the  '  bloody  backs '  was  down  by 
your  father's  ropewalk,*  and  got  into  a  little  trouble  with 
one  of  the  workmen.  Nothing  would  do  but  that  they 
must  fight  it  out,  and  the  redcoat  got  a  beating." 

"Well?"  Amos  asked,  placidly,  as  Hardy  paused  for 
breath. 

"  Well,  and  what  does  the  Britisher  do,  but  walk  straight 
up  to  Murray's  Barracks,f  get  a  crowd  of  his  chums,  and 
go  back  to  Gray's  place,  where  they  pounded  five  or  six 
of  the  rope-makers  almost  to  death.  While  you  fellows 
have  been  sitting  here  idle,  people  who  have  more  love  for 
their  country  are  gathering  under  the  Liberty  Tree,  and  if 
you  go  there  now  you  '11  hear  what  is  to  be  done." 

Jim  looked  at  Amos  as  if  to  ask  whether  he  believed 
all  the  barber's  apprentice  had  told  them,  and  the  latter 
replied  by  an  incredulous  shake  of  the  head,  as  he  said  : 

"  We  '11  go  down  to  Liberty  Hall  ;  but  I  don't  think  the 
inhabitants  of  Boston  are  nearly  as  much  excited  as  Hardy 
believes.  He  and  that  mulatto  friend  of  his,  I  reckon,  are 
the  only  ones  representing  the  people  in  this  case." 

"  Come  with  me,  and  you  will  soon  see  who  is  doing  the 
representing,"  Hardy  cried,  angrily.  "  You  fellows  don't 
know  everything,  even  though  you  think  you  do." 

"  We  have  never  made  claim  to  such  distinction,  nor  do 

*  John  Gray's  ropewalk  was  situated  near  the  present  Post  Office 
Square. 

t  Near  the  former  site  of  Brattle  Street  Church. 


LIBERTY  HALL.  59 

we  believe  we  are  expected  to  drive  the  redcoats  out  of 
Boston.  But  if  the  city  is  in  such  a  turmoil  as  you  would 
have  us  think,  why  are  you  here,  instead  of  at  Liberty 
Hall  ?  " 

"  I  have  been  there  since  an  hour  before  noon,  and  only 
left  when  I  had  to  go  for  something  to  eat.  Now  I  am  on 
my  way  back." 

"  We  '11  go  with  you,"  and  Amos  began  to  believe  that 
perhaps  there  was  more  truth  in  Hardy's  story  than  he 
had  previously  been  willing  to  admit.  "  Have  you  aban- 
doned Master  Piemont  entirely?  "  he  asked,  as  the  three 
went  into  the  street. 

"  I  may  go  back  there  when  the  Britishers  are  driven 
away  ;  but  it  ain't  likely  I  shall  much  before  then.  When 
there  's  work  like  this  to  be  done,  you  '11  find  me  with  those 
who  love  their  country." 

"  And  that  is  brawling  on  the  waterside,  I  suppose  ?  " 

Hardy  was  about  to  make  an  angry  reply,  when  a  throng 
of  men  and  boys  were  seen  marching  in  something  ap- 
proaching military  precision  up  Corn  Hill,  shouting  from 
time  to  time  : 

"  Drive  the  rascals  out !  Down  with  the  '  bloody 
backs ! ' ' 

Now  there  could  no  longer  be  any  question  in  the  minds 
of  Jim  and  Amos  but  that  Hardy's  story  was  more  nearly 
true  than  was  at  first  believed,  and  immediately  they  began 
to  share  his  excitement. 

"  Perhaps  you  think  now  that  I  'm  the  only  one  who  is 
stirred  up,  eh?"  the  barber's  apprentice  asked,  trium- 


60  UNDER    THE   LIBERTY   TREE. 

phantly.  "This  crowd  is  going  to  Liberty  Hall.  When 
you  get  there  you  '11  find  more  than  a  thousand,  all  shout- 
ing the  same  thing." 

That  which  caused  Amos  and  Jim  more  surprise  than 
anything  else,  was  the  fact  that  not  a  soldier  could  be  seen 
upon  the  streets.  Ordinarily  one  could  not  walk  through 
Corn  Hill  without  meeting  many  privates,  as  well  as  offi- 
cers, lounging  on  the  sidewalk. 

That  the  citizens  were  deeply  excited  over  what  had 
occurred,  both  the  boys  understood  as  they  continued  on 
toward  the  common  meeting-place ;  but  they  had  no  idea 
how  deeply  the  populace  were  moved,  until  arriving  within 
sight  of  the  Liberty  Tree,  where  they  saw  the  ground 
immediately  beneath  its  broad  limbs  literally  packed  with 
human  beings. 

The  gathering  in  front  of  Master  Theophilus  Lillie's 
shop  had  been  as  nothing  compared  with  this. 

There  the  throng  had  been  composed  chiefly  of  boys, 
but  here  men  were  gathered,  and  Amos  had  a  better  idea 
of  the  gravity  of  the  situation  when  he  recognised  on  the 
outskirts  of  the  crowd  reputable  merchants,  whom  he  knew 
could  not  be  easily  induced  to  lend  countenance  to  any- 
thing which  did  not  really  affect  the  welfare  of  the  Colony. 

Forcing  their  way  here  and  there  among  the  excited 
multitude,  where  were  a  dozen  speakers,  each  haranguing 
those  nearest  him,  the  boys  learned  that  the  determination 
of  the  citizens  was  that  the  soldiers  should  be  forced  to 
leave  the  city,  and  that  the  affray  between  the  military 
and  the  rope -makers  was  but  an  incident  which  had 


•••$$m:-'StMi^<m 


% 

v&  \ll1tY  \::;-'.VAYV 


LIBERTY  HALL.  63 

brought  about  the  uprising  at  this  particular  time,  rather 
than  something  to  be  avenged. 

They  also  heard  that  the  mob  had  assembled  near  the 
barracks  early  in  the  afternoon  for  the  evident  purpose  of 
taking  up  the  quarrel  of  the  workmen,  but  had  been 
dispersed  by  the  troops. 

It  was  also  reported  that  the  commanding  officer  of 
the  Twenty-ninth  Regiment  had  made  formal  complaint 
to  Lieutenant -Governor  Hutchinson,  not  only  of  the 
insults  which  his  men  had  received  at  the  rope -walk, 
but  from  the  citizens  at  different  times. 

"  They  take  possession  of  the  city  against  our  ex- 
pressed will,  and  now  complain  because  they  are  not 
treated  politely ! "  one  of  the  speakers  cried.  "  Their 
ideas  of  gentle  breeding  are  so  different  from  ours  that 
the  only  amends  we  can  make  for  our  rudeness  is  to  give 
them  an  emphatic  invitation  to  go  elsewhere  in  search  of 
people  who  love  redcoats." 

"  Down  with  the  '  bloody  backs  ' !  Drive  them  out ! 
They  have  no  business  here !  "  the  crowd  shouted,  and 
for  a  moment  Amos  and  Jim  believed  a  desperate  conflict 
was  near  at  hand. 

The  more  violent  of  the  speakers  were  followed  by 
merchants  who  deprecated  any  hasty  movement,  and  in  a 
short  time  that  which  had  been  almost  an  ungovernable 
mob  was  rapidly  becoming  an  assemblage  of  earnest, 
thinking  citizens,  desirous  of  doing  in  a  crisis  that  which 
would  best  and  most  effectually  right  the  wrongs  under  , 
which  they  were  suffering. 


64  UNDER    THE  LIBERTY  TREE. 

"This  is  a  work  which  cannot  be  done  in  a  day,"  a 
venerable  looking  gentleman  said,  when  some  on  the  out- 
skirts of  the  crowd  demanded  to  be  led  to  the  barracks. 
"What  is  begun  now  must  be  finished.  To  make  the 
demand  that  the  British  soldiers  leave  the  city,  and  not 
enforce  it,  would  be  far  worse  than  to  remain  silent. 
Much  time  may  be  needed." 

"  We  have  all  there  is.  No  other  work  shall  be  done 
until  this  job  is  finished  !  "  one  of  the  company  cried. 

"Then  set  about  it  methodically,"  the  orator  continued. 
"  To-day  is  Friday,  and  in  an  hour  it  will  be  ended.  If 
we  begin  on  Saturday,  we  may  be  tempted  to  desecrate 
the  Sabbath  ;  therefore,  as  good  citizens,  I  pray  that  you 
will  first  consider  your  duty  to  your  God,  and  not  forget 
to  keep  holy  His  day.  The  soldiers  will  be  here  on 
Monday.  Let  us  begin  our  work  then,  and  finish  it 
before  the  following  Saturday  night." 

There  was  something  in  this  suggestion  which  pleased 
the  throng  wonderfully  well.  The  idea  of  remaining  in- 
active forty-eight  hours  rather  than  take  the  chances  of 
desecrating  the  Sabbath  pleased  them,  because  it  savoured 
of  more  serious  purpose  than  if  they  had  begun  hurriedly, 
without  preparation,  like  an  unreasoning  mob,  to  open 
the  struggle. 

There  were  a  few,  however,  who  raised  their  voices 
against  this  delay,  and  Amos  whispered  to  Jim,  as  a  par- 
ticularly shrill  cry  was  heard  now  and  then  demanding 
that  something  be  done  immediately  : 

"  That  is  Hardy  Baker  !    He  believes  that  he  has  brought 


LIBERTY  HALL.  65 

all  this  about,  and  if  it  should  be  that  the  soldiers  are 
driven  from  the  city,  he  will  claim  the  whole  credit." 

"  This  will  be  more  serious  than  warning  Master  Lillie, 
terrible  as  was  the  result  there.  What  shall  we  do,  Amos  ? " 

"  Follow  these  gentlemen,  of  course,"  and  Amos 
pointed  to  several  well-known  citizens,  who  were  stand- 
ing near  by.  "  We  cannot  do  anything  wrong  by  acting 
with  them  ;  but  I  question  much  if  the  morrow  will  pass 
without  serious  brawls,  for  Hardy  Baker  and  those  with 
whom  he  is  associated  are  ripe  for  mischief,  regardless  of 
the  justice  of  their  cause." 

"But  can  we,  unarmed,  drive  the  soldiers  out  of  the  city?" 

"  When  such  a  man  as  Master  Samuel  Adams  declares 
they  must  go,  and  is  backed  by  these  good  citizens  here, 
Governor  Hutchinson  and  General  Gage  must  listen  to 
the  voice  of  the  people.  Come  over  this  way;  Hardy 
and  Attucks  are  moving  toward  us,  and  I  don't  care  to 
be  seen  in  their  company." 

Amos  had  not  observed  the  barber's  apprentice  soon 
enough  to  escape  him,  for,  before  he  and  Jim  had  taken  a 
dozen  steps  toward  hiding  themselves  among  the  throng, 
Hardy  Baker  shouted,  shrilly  : 

"  Hold  on,  boys  !     We  want  to  talk  with  you  !  " 

Jim  would  have  continued  on,  regardless  of  the  com- 
mand, but  that  his  companion  said,  in  a  whisper : 

"We  may  as  well  wait  and  hear  what  he  has  to  say, 
otherwise  he  will  follow  wherever  we  go." 

"  I  want  you  fellows  to  come  with  Attucks  and  me," 
the  barber's  apprentice  said,  in  a  peremptory  tone. 


66  UNDER    THE   LIBERTY   TREE. 

"Why  should  we?"  Amos  asked,  sharply. 

'•'  Because  there  is  work  for  all  hands,  and  you  must  do 
your  share." 

"  And  since  when  has  Master  Piemont's  apprentice  had 
the  right  to  command  us  to  come  here  or  go  there  ?  " 

"  Your  high  and  mighty  airs  don't  count  for  much  with 
me,  Amos  Richardson.  If  my  uncle  had  been  the  one 
who  murdered  Chris  Snyder,  I  should  try  to  do  every- 
thing in  my  power  to  show  I  did  n't  side  with  informers 
and  those  who  are  ready  to  kiss  the  feet  of  the  '  bloody 
backs ' !  " 

Amos's  face  was  almost  livid  in  its  paleness,  as  he 
stepped  quickly  forward  and  seized  by  the  collar  the 
apprentice,  who,  in  his  alarm,  attempted  to  seek  refuge 
behind  the  mulatto. 

"If  you  ever  so  much  as  mention  my  uncle  to  me 
again,  Hardy  Baker,  there  will  be  serious  trouble  for  you, 
and  neither  the  '  bloody  backs '  nor  those  who  love  liberty 
will  interfere  between  us." 

Then  Amos,  shaking  Master  Piemont's  assistant  much 
as  a  terrier  shakes  a  rat,  released  his  hold,  and,  as  he 
walked  away  with  his  arm  in  Jim's,  he  heard  Hardy  cry, 
threateningly  : 

"  Before  this  trouble  is  ended,  you  shall  see  what  I 
can  do ! " 

"  It  is  such  fellows  as  he  who  will  bring  discredit  on 
the  cause  of  liberty,"  Jim  whispered.  "You  must  be 
careful  from  this  out,  Amos,  or  that  braggart  will  make 
good  his  threat." 


CHAPTER   IV. 

A     DISCOMFITED     CREDITOR. 

Saturday  morning  the  city  of  Boston  was  in  an 
ominous  state  of  quietude. 

That  the  citizens  were  restless  and  uneasy,  even  the 
most  casual  observer  would  have  noted,  as  he  walked 
through  the  streets  where  knots  of  men  and  boys  were 
congregated  at  different  points,  discussing  some  subject 
with  bated  breath,  and  moving  away  whenever  a  stranger 
approached. 

That  the  troops  were  defiant  and  suspicious  was  also 
evident.  The  soldiers  did  not  walk  through  the  streets 
singly,  as  had  been  their  custom  ;  but  in  groups  —  squads 
would  be  a  more  appropriate  term,  for  they  preserved 
some  semblance  of  formation,  even  while  lounging,  as  if 
prepared  for  an  expected  attack. 

It  had  not  been  Amos's  purpose  to  venture  out  on  this 
morning,  and  he  had  very  good  reasons  for  remaining  at 
home. 

That  which  Hardy  Baker  had  taunted  him  with  on  the 
evening  previous  still  rankled  in  his  mind,  and  he  under- 
stood better  now  than  before  the  encounter  at  Liberty 
Hall,  that  there  were  many  who  would  not  hesitate  to 
remind  him  of  the  fact  that  it  was  his  uncle  who  had  de- 


68  UNDER    THE   LIBERTY   TREE. 

prived  little  Chris  Snyder  of  life  —  his  uncle,  the  informer, 
who  had  been  the  first  to  resist,  with  deadly  weapons,  the 
citizens  in  a  demand  for  justice. 

Amos  was  not  a  quarrelsome  lad  ;  although  the  acknowl- 
edged leader  in  his  particular  circle  of  friends,  he  had 
never  been  a  bully,  neither  had  he  submitted  tamely  to  an 
imposition. 

He  was  fully  determined  to  give  Hardy  Baker  such  a 
lesson  on  the  evils  of  using  his  tongue  ill -advisedly  and 
without  precaution,  as  he  would  not  soon  forget,  although 
he  did  not  intend  to  seek  an  interview  with  the  appren- 
tice, who  fancied  himself  rapidly  becoming  a  leader  of  men  ; 
but  proposed  to  wait  until  he  met  the  barber  by  chance 
rather  than  intention,  and  then  he  was  resolved  that  Hardy 
should  receive  a  very  clear  idea  as  to  the  necessity  of 
curbing  his  speech. 

The  forenoon  was  well  advanced  when  Jim  Gray  entered 
the  house  with  an  exclamation  of  surprise  and  satisfaction. 

"  I  never  counted  on  finding  you  at  home  on  this  day  of 
all  others  ;  but  just  dropped  in  on  the  chance  you  might 
be  here,  since  I  have  looked  everywhere  else.  Why  are 
you  keeping  so  snug  when  there  is  so  much  going  on  ? " 

"What  is  being  done?  I  heard  no  noise,  and  thought 
everything  was  quiet." 

"  It  is  not  what  is  being  done,  as  what  may  happen  at 
any  time,"  Jim  replied,  thoughtfully.  "  There  is  mischief 
in  the  air,  and  Liberty  Hall  is  packed  as  full  as  it  was  last 
night." 

"Surely  the  people  will  do  nothing  to-day,  for  it  was 


A    DISCOMFITED    CREDITOR.  69 

understood  yesterday  that  no  demonstration  was  to  be 
made  until  Monday." 

"  According  to  my  way  of  thinking  only  a  word  is  neces- 
sary to  bring  about  considerable  trouble.  It  is  said  that 
the  citizens  have  demanded  the  removal  of  the  troops,  but 
Master  Hutchinson  will  not  listen  to  their  complaints." 

"  And  if  he  does  not,  how  can  anything  be  effected  ? 
Surely  the  people  of  Boston  will  not  try  conclusions 
against  a  regiment  of  soldiers." 

"  Some  of  the  crowd  are  in  the  humour  for  anything  des- 
perate, and  they  are  the  ones  with  whom  Hardy  Baker  has 
made  friends.  He  is  talking  very  fiercely  now,  and  show- 
ing his  blackened  eye  freely  as  a  reason  why  there  should 
be  no  delay  in  forcing  the  soldiers  to  leave  the  city." 

"  A  blackened  eye  ?     Has  he  been  fighting  already  ?  " 

"  I  don't  think  he  had  much  chance  to  do  anything  of 
that  sort  ;  but  this  is  the  story  he  told  Chris  Gore,  from 
whose  home  I  have  just  come  :  After  the  meeting  last 
night,  and  when  it  had  been  fully  decided  that  nothing 
should  be  done  until  Monday,  Hardy,  having  an  idea  the 
Britishers  would  be  frightened,  thought  it  a  good  time  to 
demand  payment  from  Lieutenant  Draper.  Without  heed- 
ing the  warning  which  the  officer  gave  him  on  the  morn- 
ing poor  little  Chris  Snyder  was  killed,  Hardy  went  to  the 
Custom  House  again  this  forenoon,  and  says  he  simply 
asked  to  see  the  lieutenant ;  but  most  likely  he  was  as 
insulting  as  when  he  met  that  officer  on  Hanover  Street. 
The  sentry  knocked  him  down,  and  now  Hardy  shows  the^ 
wound  as  his  claim  to  be  considered  a  living  martyr.  It 


70  UNDER    THE   LIBERTY   TREE. 

may  be  exactly  as  he  says,  that  the  soldier  had  no  provo- 
cation, other  than  the  demand  to  see  the  lieutenant ;  but 
I  don't  believe  that  portion  of  the  story,  for  after  yester- 
day's troubles  it  is  n't  reasonable  to  suppose  the  troops 
would  invite  another  conflict  with  the  citizens.  It  is  said 
they  have  been  ordered  to  hold  no  communication  what- 
ever with  the  people,  and  it  is  positive  that  the  sentry  at 
the  Custom  House  struck  Hardy." 

"  I  suppose  he  is  now  more  violent  than  ever  ?  " 

"  Yes,  and  has  a  stronger  belief  that  his  countrymen 
depend  upon  him  to  avenge  their  wrongs.  Come  down  to 
Liberty  Hall,  and  see  him  make  a  spectacle  of  himself." 

"  I  think  it  is  wiser  for  me  to  stay  here." 

"Why?"  Jim  asked,  in  surprise. 

"  Because,  if  I  should  meet  Hardy  now,  while  he  is  so 
puffed  up  with  pride  because  he  has  been  attacked  by  one 
of  the  enemy,  he  might  say  something  which  would  lead 
to  an  encounter  between  us  ;  and  I  don't  think  it  would 
be  well  to  raise  any  disturbance  on  the  street  at  this 
time." 

"  Perhaps  you  are  right  ;  but  yet — 

Jim  was  interrupted  by  the  noise  as  of  a  heavy  blow 
against  the  side  of  the  house,  which  was  repeated  half  a 
dozen  times  before  either  of  the  boys  could  step  to  the 
window. 

Then  came  threatening  cries  : 

"  We  have  got  one  Richardson  in  jail ;  now  bring  out 
the  others  !  " 

"  Drive  out  the  informers  !  " 


A   DISCOMFITED    CREDITOR.  73 

"  Boston  is  no  place  for  assassins  !  " 

By  this  time  Amos  and  Jim  were  where  they  could 
look  into  the  street ;  but  a  view  of  what  was  taking  place 
there  was  not  necessary  to  explain  to  them  the  cause  of 
this  sudden  attack. 

They  knew  that  Master  Piemont's  assistant  was  making 
good  his  threat  of  the  previous  evening. 

Ten  or  a  dozen  half -grown  boys,  with  the  barber's 
apprentice  at  their  head,  were  pelting  the  house  with 
missiles  of  every  kind,  and  Amos's  mother  cried  frantic- 
ally, as  her  son  was  on  the  point  of  rushing  out  to  put 
an  end  to  the  disturbance  : 

"  Don't  show  yourself,  my  boy,  don't  show  yourself  \ 
After  what  has  happened,  we  must  expect  that  the  sins 
of  your  uncle  will  in  some  degree  be  visited  upon  us,  and 
you  must  do  nothing  rash,  particularly  while  your  father 
is  away  from  home." 

"  But,  mother,  this  is  only  some  of  Hardy  Baker's 
doings,  and  I  can  soon  put  an  end  to  it,  once  I  get  that 
precious  little  villain  by  the  throat." 

"You  would  add  to  the  disgrace  by  fighting  on  the 
street  ? " 

"  I  would  show  the  barber's  apprentice  that  he  can't 
insult  honest  people  without  bearing  the  consequences." 

"Come  on!"  Jim  cried,  impatiently.  "Two  of  us  can 
handle  that  crowd  !  " 

Mrs.  Richardson  clung  to  her  son  imploringly,  crying 
that  he  would  be  killed  if  he  ventured  into  the  street,  and" 
there  seemed  good  reason  for  her  fears,  since  if  any  one 


74 


UNDER    THE   LIBERTY   TREE 


of  the  missiles,  which  were  being  hurled  so  freely  against 
the  building,  should  strike  him,  it  would  inflict  serious 
injury. 

As  the  moments  passed  and  no  reply  was  made  by  the 
inmates  of  the  house  to  the  epithets,  Harry's  squad  grew 
bolder.  Instead  of  contenting  themselves  with  defacing 

the  building,  they  pro- 
ceeded to  do  all  the 
damage  possible. 

The    more    serious 
mischief    was    begun 
by   the    barber's    ap- 
prentice himself,  as  he 
threw    a    lump    of    frozen 
earth    directly    through    the 
window,   causing  the   splintered 
glass  to  fly  in  every  direction,  and 
one  of  the  fragments  struck  Mrs.  Richard- 
son on  the  cheek  with  sufficient  force  to  draw  blood. 
Amos  could  no  longer  control  his  temper ;  shaking  off 
his  mother's  detaining  grasp,   he    flung  open    the   outer 
door,  and,  followed  closely  by  Jim,  leaped   directly  into 
the  midst  of  the  throng. 

More  than  one  of  the  missiles  struck  him  ;  but  he  was 
not  conscious  of  the  fact.  He  only  saw  Hardy  Baker, 
and  had  no  other  thought  than  that  by  administering 
swift  punishment  to  him  the  attack  would  be  brought 
to  an  end. 

Master  Piemont's  assistant  saw  his  late  friends  making 


A    DISCOMFITED    CREDITOR.  75 

their  way  directly  toward  him,  regardless  of  every  one 
else,  and  understood  their  purpose. 

It  had  not  been  his  intention  to  have  a  personal 
encounter  with  Amos. 

He  had  recruited  his  squad  from  the  more  turbulent 
and  violent  spirits  gathered  under  the  Liberty  Tree,  and 
believed  it  was  sufficiently  large  to  protect  him.  Being 
their  leader,  he  supposed  every  member  of  the  party 
would  be  on  the  alert  to  defend  him  ;  but  in  this  he  was 
mistaken. 

As  soon  as  Amos  and  Jim  showed  themselves,  the 
shower  of  missiles  ceased,  and  the  mischief  -  makers 
stepped  aside  to  give  them  free  passage. 

"Close  up  here!"  Hardy  shouted,  frantically.  "Why 
are  you  fellows  backing  down  now  ?  There  are  enough 
of  us  to  flog  the  life  out  of  this  portion  of  the  murderer's 
family !  Stand  by  me !  Are  you  going  to  allow  both 
these  boys  to  do  as  they  please,  without  your  lifting  a 
hand?" 

"  Only  one  of  us  will  deal  with  you,  Hardy  Baker," 
Amos  cried  angrily,  as  he  seized  him  by  the  collar. 
"  Stand  back,  Jim,  and  see  that  I  have  fair  play.  There 's 
no  need  of  your  doing  anything,  unless  this  barber's  gang 
do  as  he  asks  them." 

"  Help !  Help !  Come  here,  some  of  you  fellows  ! 
What  did  you  promise  before  we  left  Liberty  Hall  ? " 
Hardy  shouted  frantically,  as  he  writhed  in  Amos's 
clutch. 

One  or  two  of  the  party  made  a  movement,  as  if  they 


76  UNDER    THE  LIBERTY   TREE 

would  answer  this  appeal ;  but  Jim  Gray,  although  he 
had  no  appearance  of  an  athlete,  looked  particularly 
dangerous  as  he  said,  sharply  : 

"  If  you  are  wise,  you  '11  keep  your  distance.  Hardy 
Baker  brought  you  here  to  insult  honest  people  who 
would  scorn  to  have  dealings  with  informers,  even  though 
they  do  chance  to  be  of  the  same  family.  He  lied  to 
you,  and  you  should  let  him  attend  to  his  own  affairs.  It 
is  an  even-handed  battle,  and  both  shall  have  fair  play  so 
far  as  I  am  concerned." 

"That  is  all  any  fellow  could  ask  for,"  one  of  the  party 
cried,  forgetting,  in  his  desire  to  witness  the  encounter, 
that  he  had  come  on  an  alleged  public  mission.  "  If 
you  '11  agree  not  to  touch  our  man,  we  will  see  to  it  that 
yours  has  his  rights." 

"That's  all  I  want,"  Jim  replied,  grimly,  and  added  to 
Amos,  who,  still  holding  Hardy  firmly  by  the  collar,  had 
stopped  to  learn  what  part  the  barber's  followers  proposed 
to  take :  "  Now  is  your  time  ;  the  rest  of  these  fellows 
agree  to  fair  play,  and  I  reckon  no  one  will  disturb  you." 
Hardy  Baker  was  terrified,  as  could  be  told  by  the 
expression  on  his  face,  and  he  cried,  shrilly  : 

"  Why  don't  some  of  you  cowards  do  as  you  agreed, 
and  stand  by  me  ?  " 

"That's  what  we're  going  to  do,"  the  boy  who  had 
spoken  with  Jim  replied.  "No  one  shall  interfere,  and 
you  said  it  wouldn't  take  you  five  minutes  to  disable 
Amos  Richardson  for  life.  Now  go  ahead  and  do  it.  If 
any  one  attempts  to  help  him,  we  '11  pitch  in." 


A   DISCOMFITED    CREDITOR.  JJ 

There  was  no  further  opportunity  for  the  barber's 
apprentice  to  appeal  to  his  followers. 

Shaking  him  vigorously,  as  if  with  the  idea  that  after 
such  treatment  he  could  better  understand  the  words, 
Amos  said,  in  a  tone  sufficiently  loud  for  all  to  hear : 

"  I  came  out  here  simply  to  give  you  a  flogging,  Hardy 
Baker,  and  did  not  intend  to  waste  any  time  about  it ;  but 
so  long  as  your  friends  are  willing  to  stand  by  honestly, 
you  shall  have  a  chance  to  prove  you  can  do  what  you 
boasted  of  being  able  to  do." 

Then  Amos  released  his  hold  of  the  barber's  collar,  in 
order  that  the  latter  might  be  in  a  position  to  defend 
himself. 

Hardy  could  do  no  less  than  strike  out  in  his  own 
defence,  for  it  was  not  possible  to  beat  a  retreat ;  but  his 
efforts  were  as  feeble  as  they  were  vain.  Before  five  min- 
utes had  passed  Master  Piemont's  assistant  was  the  most 
thoroughly  whipped  boy  in  the  Colony  of  Massachusetts, 
and  perfectly  willing  to  acknowledge  himself  such,  if  by  so 
doing  he  could  prevent  a  continuation  of  the  punishment. 

"  I  can't  strike  a  fellow  when  he  will  no  longer  defend 
himself,"  Amos  said,  as  if  in  apology,  after  Hardy  was  so 
cowed  as  to  remain  passive  under  the  blows.  "  I  don't 
reckon  you  other  fellows  really  knew  what  you  were  about 
when  you  came  here  to  raise  a  row,  so  we  '11  let  the  mat- 
ter end  here.  Until  last  night  this  barber  and  I  were 
good  friends,  and  would  have  been  this  moment,  but  for 
the  fact  that  I  refused  to  make  a  street  brawler  of  myself, 
as  he  demanded.  It  is  true  Ebenezer  Richardson  is  my 


7  8  UNDER    THE  LIBERTY   TREE. 

uncle  ;  but  neither  my  father  nor  myself  are  of  his  way  of 
thinking,  as  this  whipped  cur  knows  thoroughly  well.  I 
have  been  as  ready  to  cry  down  an  informer  as  any  of  you, 
therefore  why  should  my  father's  house  be  attacked  ? " 

"  He  told  us  you  were  hand  in  glove  with  the  '  bloody 
backs,'  "  one  of  the  party  said,  as  he  motioned  toward  the 
prostrate  barber. 

"  And  he  was  lying.  Ask  any  of  the  boys  who  know 
me  whether  that  is  true.  You  can  believe  Chris  Gore, 
who  was  wounded  the  same  day  Chris  Snyder  was  killed ; 
ask  him !  " 

"And  why  not  ask  me?"  Jim  Gray  cried.  "It  was 
Amos  Richardson  who  had  charge  of  putting  the  warning 
in  front  of  Master  Lillie's  store." 

"  Hardy  Baker  said  he  and  Chris  Snyder  did  that  alone," 
one  of  the  barber's  followers  shouted,  and  Jim  replied  : 

"  All  the  part  he  took  was  to  help  carry  the  pole  from 
my  house  over  to  Hanover  Street.  Amos  had  charge  of 
the  whole  matter,  and  yet  you  believe  he  is  friendly  with 
the  'bloody  backs,'  just  because  he  happens  to  have  an 
uncle  who  is  no  honour  to  the  family." 

"  We  should  n't  have  known  anything  about  it,  but  for 
the  barber,  and  if  you  think  he  has  n't  had  enough,  we  '11 
finish  flogging  him." 

Hardy,  who  had  not  dared  to  move  from  the  moment 
Amos  ceased  punishing  him,  now  looked  even  more  terri- 
fied than  before,  until  the  latter  replied  : 

"  No  good  will  come  of  abusing  him.  Let  him  alone, 
and  in  the  future  I  reckon  he  '11  tell  the  truth." 


A    DISCOMFITED    CREDITOR.  79 

"  He  will  never  tell  us  anything  again  that  we  shall 
believe,"  one  of  the  attacking  party  said.  "  I  'm  sorry  we 
let  a  liar  like  him  lead  us  on  to  what  we  've  done  against 
you,  and  I  '11  agree  we  won't  make  such  a  mistake  again, 
if  you  '11  call  it  settled.  Come  down  to  the  Liberty  Tree 
with  us,  you  two  fellows,  and  let 's  see  what  's  going  on 
there." 

Amos,  eager  to  get  the  throng  away  from  his  father's 
house,  accepted  the  invitation  at  once,  and  he  and  Jim 
marched  in  the  midst  of  their  late  enemies,  while  Master 
Piemont's  assistant  was  left  alone  to  nurse,  at  the  same 
time,  his  wounds  and  his  anger. 

The  throng  at  Liberty  Hall  was  as  great  as  Amos  had 
ever  seen  it  at  any  time ;  but  decidedly  more  quiet  and 
orderly  than  on  the  previous  evening. 

It  was  as  if,  having  decided  upon  a  definite  plan,  the 
people  were  willing  to  wait  quietly  until  the  hour  set  for 
action  should  arrive. 

It  was  rumoured  that  the  Sons  of  Liberty,  as  an  organi- 
sation, had  agreed  to  head  the  populace  in  a  peremptory 
demand  for  the  removal  of  the  troops,  which  was  to  be 
made  on  the  following  Monday ;  but  Amos  failed  to  learn 
that  there  was  any  good  foundation  for  this  rumour.  It 
was  known  positively  that  the  Sons  of  Liberty  had  laid 
the  grievances  of  the  people  before  the  Governor  and 
Council,  but  there  were  many  at  Liberty  Hall  who  doubted 
if  the  members  of  the  Society  would  countenance  the 
actions  of  the  mob. 

"  It  seems  as  if  poor  little  Chris  was  forgotten  already," 


80  UNDER    THE   LIBERTY    TREE. 

Jim  Gray  said,  after  he  and  Amos  had  listened  to  several 
hot-headed  speakers  urging  the  people  to  rise  in  their 
might  "  Now  they  talk  only  of  the  attack  upon  the  rope- 
makers,  and  hardly  mention  his  name." 

"That  is  because  the  trouble  at  your  father's  ropewalk 
was  brought  about  by  the  soldiers,  while  Chris  was  mur- 
dered by  one  of  our  own  people,  if  we  are  willing  to 
acknowledge  that  Ebenezer  Richardson  was  one  of  us." 

"  Does  he  never  visit  at  your  house  ?  " 

"  He  has  n't  since  the  day  Master  John  Hancock  was 
arrested  in  regard  to  the  seizure  of  his  sloop.  That  was 
the  first  time  he  showed  himself  an  enemy  to  the  Colonies, 
and  father  declared  he  was  no  longer  a  brother  of  his. 
Don't  talk  about  him  any  longer.  It 's  a  subject  that 
makes  me  sick  at  heart.  Suppose  we  go  down  to  see 
Chris  Gore  ?  It  will  be  better  than  standing  here  listen- 
ing to  these  men,  who  have  but  little  idea  of  the  subject 
they  are  pretending  to  discuss. 

The  wound  on  Chris's  shoulder  was  healing  rapidly ; 
but  it  was  not  deemed  safe  for  him  to  venture  out-of- 
doors  yet,  and  his  comrades  felt  it  their  duty  to  give  him 
a  detailed  account  of  all  that  had  occurred  during  the  day. 

The  snow  was  beginning  to  fall  when  Amos  and  Jim 
left  Mr.  Gore's  home,  and  before  the  next  morning  it 
had  covered  the  earth  with  a  mantle  of  dazzling 
whiteness. 


CHAPTER   V. 

A    NIGHT    OF    TERROR. 

A  MOS  and  Jim  were  early  astir  on  Monday  morning, 
•**•  the  fifth  of  March,  but  before  noon  came  both  were 
convinced  that  the  threatened  trouble  would  blow  over 
without  the  slightest  semblance  of  a  conflict  between  the 
soldiers  and  the  citizens. 

During  the  forenoon  they  had  not  so  much  as  heard  of 
Hardy  Baker,  or  that  faction  to  which  he  had  allied  him- 
self, and  Jim  said,  with  a  quiet  chuckle  of  satisfaction : 

"  I  reckon  the  barber  got  as  much  of  a  lesson  as  he 
needed  Saturday  afternoon,  and  has  given  over  trying  to 
set  right  the  wrongs  of  the  people." 

"  He  must  be  at  work,  or  we  should  have  heard  some- 
thing regarding  him,"  Amos  replied,  and  then  ceased  even 
to  think  of  the  apprentice. 

Shortly  after  noon  those  assembled  under  the  Liberty 
Tree,  —  and  there  were  quite  as  many  as  had  gathered  on 
Friday  and  Saturday,  — were  told  that  the  Council  had  dis- 
cussed with  Governor  Hutchinson  the  question  of  remov- 
ing the  troops  from  the  city,  and  assured  him  the  people 
would  be  satisfied  with  nothing  else. 

It  was  also  said  the  Governor  had  refused  to  do  any- 
thing regarding  the  matter ;  but  that  Samuel  Adams  had 


82  UNDER    THE  LIBERTY  TREE. 

publicly  declared  the  troops  should  be  sent  away,  and 
that  without  loss  of  time. 

At  about  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  Amos  and  Jim 
heard  once  more  from  Master  Piemont's  assistant. 

It  was  told  under  the  Liberty  Tree  that  he  had  been 
seen  in  company  with  Attacks,  the  mulatto,  and  half  a 
dozen  others,  near  Wentworth's  Wharf,  and  that  Hardy 
had  distinguished  himself  by  taunting  with  cowardice,  a 
squad  of  soldiers,  until  the  redcoats  avenged  the  insults 
with  blows ;  but  nothing  more  serious  than  a  street  brawl 
was  the  result. 

"  Perhaps  I  made  a  mistake,  and  Hardy  did  n't  get  as 
severe  a  lesson  as  he  needed,"  Jim  whispered  to  his 
friend. 

"If  he  didn't,  he's  likely  to  receive  it  before  this  day 
is  ended,  in  case  he  continues  as  they  claim  he  has  begun. 
It  seems  evident  that  the  citizens  do  not  intend  to  carry 
this  matter  any  further,  and  the  only  trouble  may  be  from 
such  as  Hardy.  Let  us  go  home  and  stay  there  quietly. 
If  the  Sons  of  Liberty  were  to  make  any  demonstration, 
we  would  want  to  be  with  them  ;  but  if  there  is  to  be 
nothing  more  than  street  brawls,  we  had  better  keep  out 
of  sight." 

Jim  was  perfectly  willing  to  act  upon  this  suggestion, 
and  particularly  because  his  father  had  warned  him  not  to 
go  in  the  vicinity  of  the  ropewalk,  fearing  lest  the  trouble, 
having  originated  there,  it  would  be  a  favourite  rendezvous 
for  those  ripe  for  mischief. 

The  boys  had  hardly  reached  Amos's  home,  thoroughly 


A    NIGHT  OF   TERROR.  83 

confident  there  would  be  no  serious  disturbance,  when  the 
alarm-bells  began  to  ring,  and,  as  in  the  twinkling  of  an 
eye,  the  city,  which  had  apparently  been  so  peaceful,  was 
the  scene  of  tumult  and  confusion. 

Men  and  boys  rushed  from  their  homes  into  the  streets. 
Those  who  were  already  there  ran  to  and  fro  in  the  wild- 
est excitement,  not  understanding  the  cause  of  the  alarm, 
and  prudent  housewives  barred  windows  and  doors  as  if 
each  thought  her  home  was  about  to  be  attacked. 

As  a  matter  of  course,  Amos  and  Jim  went  directly  to 
the  Liberty  Tree ;  but  failed  to  find  there  the  throng 
which  had  occupied  Liberty  Hall  almost  constantly,  with 
the  exception  of  the  Sabbath  hours,  since  Friday  morning. 

"The  soldiers  have  attacked  the  citizens  !  "  a  man  cried, 
as  he  ran  up  Newbury  Street  at  full  speed. 

"Where?     Where?"  Amos  shouted. 

"At  the  head  of  King  Street." 

The  few  who  were  waiting  at  Liberty  Hall  started 
immediately  for  the  scene  of  the  supposed  conflict,  and 
Amos  and  Jim  followed  their  example. 

The  boys  had  no  idea  of  mingling  in  street  brawls  ; 
but  if  unoffending  citizens  were  attacked  by  the  soldiers, 
it  was  their  intention  to  aid  the  former  to  the  best  of 
their  abilities. 

Before  they  could  traverse  the  distance  between  Essex 
and  King  Streets,  the  alarm-bells  had  ceased  ringing,  and 
they  met  a  throng  of  citizens  returning  from  the  supposed 
scene  of  violence  with  information  that  no  outrage  had  ' 
been   committed. 


84  UNDER    THE  LIBERTY   TREE. 

Samuel  Gray,  Jim's  elder  brother,  was  standing  at  the 
corner  of  Summer  and  Marlborough  Streets  when  the 
two  boys  arrived  at  that  point,  and  he  explained  the 
cause  of  the  commotion  by  saying  : 

"  A  party  of  citizens,  not  over  -  gentle  in  their  ways, 
attempted  to  pass  the  sentinel  near  the  barracks,  and 
were  received  by  him  at  the  point  of  his  bayonet.  One 
of  our  people  was  scratched  slightly  on  the  arm,  and  at 
the  sight  of  the  blood  some  one  more  timid  than  wise 
alarmed  the  city.  You  can  go  back,  boys,  for  your 
services  are  not  needed.  Take  my  advice,  Jim,  and 
keep  off  the  streets." 

"  But  I  intend  to  be  on  hand  if  there  is  any  serious 
trouble." 

"  I  should  hope  so,  for  you  are  old  enough,  if  not  large 
enough,  to  do  your  full  share.  What  I  meant  was,  don't  get 
mixed  up  in  street  fights  between  the  soldiers  and  disrepu- 
table citizens  whose  proper  place  is  in  the  watch-house." 

"  I  don't  count  on  doing  anything  of  that  kind.  Where 
are  you  going  ?  " 

"  Up  to  Liberty  Hall." 

Amos  and  Jim  followed,  and,  arriving  at  this  common 
rendezvous,  they  found  that  the  people  were  once  more 
assembled;  but  this  time  in  not  as  placid  a  humour  as 
before. 

The  news  of  the  encounter,  and  the  needless  alarm,  had 
so  excited  the  people  that  the  more  impetuous  ones  were 
in  such  a  frame  of  mind  that  prudence  would  not  be  their 
first  counsellor. 


A    NIGHT  OF   TERROR.  8/ 

The  city,  which  had  been  in  an  apparent  state  of  quie- 
tude an  hour  previous,  was  now  in  a  tumult,  and  when  a 
squad  of  eight  soldiers  marched  past  the  Liberty  Tree,  as 
if  defying  the  people,  they  were  received  with  epithets  of 
derision  and  a  shower  of  missiles  thrown  by  the  angry 
members  of  the  party. 

The  cooler -headed  men  and  boys  did  their  best  to 
restrain  their  companions,  and  the  result  was  that  the 
soldiers  passed  on,  after  indulging  in  a  few  threats. 

"  One  can  see  how  easily  a  fight  may  be  brought  about 
just  now,"  Samuel  Gray  said  to  Amos.  "The  people  are 
ripe  for  almost  any  kind  of  trouble,  and  if  the  authorities 
were  wise  the  soldiers  would  not  be  allowed  to  show  them- 
selves on  the  streets." 

"  It  seems  as  if  those  fellows  passed  this  way  simply  to 
provoke  us." 

"  Very  likely  they  did  ;  but  it  is  n't  because  of  such 
provocation  that  we  should  resort  to  bloodshed.  Our  part 
is  to  preserve  the  peace,  if  possible,  while  men  like  Master 
Samuel  Adams  redress  our  wrongs  in  a  proper  fashion.  I 
doubt  not  but  that  through  his  influence  the  soldiers  will 
be  forced  to  leave  the  city ;  but  nothing  of  the  kind  can 
be  brought  about  by  street  brawls  and  foolish  threats. 

The  excitement  among  those  gathered  at  Liberty  Hall, 
—  and  there  were  now  very  many  reputable  citizens  pres- 
ent, —  was  most  intense,  and  continued  to  increase  each 
instant. 

Word  was  brought  of  collisions  between  soldiers  and 
citizens  at  different  points,  and  although  very  much  of  the 


88  UNDER    THE  LIBERTY  TREE. 

information  was  afterwards  ascertained  to  be  untrue,  no 
one  questioned  it  at  the  moment. 

It  seemed  apparent  to  all  that  the  time  had  arrived 
when  the  question  as  to  whether  the  soldiery  should  be 
allowed  to  occupy  Boston  must  be  settled  by  force  of 
arms,  despite  the  odds  which  must  necessarily  be  against 
the  inhabitants  in  such  an  encounter. 

Before  sunset  on  this  day  the  situation  seemed  to  have 
changed  greatly,  for  the  brawlers  of  Hardy  Baker's  class 
were  now  in  the  minority,  and  it  was  sober,  well-meaning 
citizens  who  occupied  the  space  under  the  Liberty  Tree. 

Rumours  came  thick  and  fast.  Some  claimed  that  the 
Sons  of  Liberty,  as  an  association,  had  that  afternoon 
demanded  of  Governor  Hutchinson  that  the  troops  be 
withdrawn  ;  others  declared  the  demand  had  been  made 
and  positively  rejected,  while  the  more  timid  insisted  that 
the  soldiers  were  making  ready  to  awe  the  citizens  by  such 
a  display  of  power,  regardless  as  to  whether  bloodshed 
might  ensue,  and  that  within  the  next  twenty-four  hours 
there  would  be  found  no  one  bold  enough  to  demand  that 
they  be  sent  away. 

Amos  and  Jim,  believing  themselves  in  good  company 
so  long  as  they  remained  with  Samuel  Gray,  kept  close  at 
his  heels,  and  he  was  not  loth  to  have  them,  for,  like 
many  another  in  the  city  of  Boston  on  this  night,  he  was 
firmly  convinced  that  the  strength  of  boys,  as  well  as 
men,  would  be  necessary  before  morning  to  preserve  the 
slight  semblance  of  freedom  which  was  left  to  the  Colonies. 
John  Gray's  fears  that  there  would  be  trouble  in  the 


A    NIGHT  OF   TERROR. 


vicinity  of  the  rope-walk  had  been  proven  by  this  time  to 
be  groundless,  for  soldiers  as  well  as  citizens  had,  as  if  by 
common  impulse,  avoided  the  scene  of  the  first  serious 
outbreak,  and  at  seven  o  'clock  in  the  evening,  when  the 
city  was  more  nearly  in  a  state  of  repose  than  it  had  been 


moned     the     inhabitants, 
his     brother    and     Amos 
tory. 
would  look  around  there 


since  the  alarm-bells  sum- 
Samuel  Gray  proposed  to 
that  they  go  to  the  fac- 

"  I  promised  father  I 
now  and  then,  and  if  you 
boys  are  not  counting  on 
going  home  to  supper,  I 
can  give  you  something  in 
the  way  of  a  lunch  from 
the  store  of  provisions  I  carried 
there  this  morning." 

"  We  are  certainly  not  going  home 
while  there  seems  to  be  so  much  afoot,"  Amos  replied. 

"  Then  come  with  me,  and  we  '11  hope  that  the  inten- 
tions of  those  who  are  abroad  this  night  are  as  peaceable 
as  ours." 

It  was  destined,  however,  that  they  should  not  partake 
of  the  provisions  which  Jim's  brother  had  stored  for  such 
an  occasion  as  this. 

On  arriving  at  John  Gray's  place  of  business,  a  party 
numbering  twenty  or  thirty,  led  by  Attucks,  with  Master 
Piemont's  assistant  by  his  side,  was  seen  marching  toward 
the  Custom  House,  shouting  and  hooting,  as  if  to  prove 
their  courage  by  much  noise. 


go  UNDER    THE  LIBERTY   TREE. 

"  It  is  by  such  as  them  that  mischief  may  be  done," 
Amos  said,  in  a  low  tone.  "  Hardy  Baker  cares  not  what 
statements  he  makes,  so  long  as  he  appears  to  be  consid- 
ered a  leader,"  and  he  concluded  by  telling  Sam  the  story 
of  the  attack  made  the  previous  Saturday  afternoon. 

"  I  grant  you  the  barber's  apprentice  is  a  dangerous 
sort  of  a  lad  to  be  loose  at  a  time  like  this.  Nevertheless, 
there  are  reputable  citizens  who  believe  the  moment  has 
come  when  we  should  stand  for  our  rights,  and  what  such 
as  Hardy  Baker  may  succeed  in  bringing  about,  through 
their  folly,  will  perchance  aid  the  righteous  cause.  We 
will  follow  them." 

"  To  what  purpose  ?  " 

"  In  order  to  learn  if  there  is  any  preconcerted  action 
among  them.  It  was  whispered  at  Liberty  Hall  late  this 
afternoon  that  arrangements  had  been  made  for  a  demon- 
stration in  front  of  the  barracks,  and  I  would  be  there  if 
such  is  made." 

"  But  do  you  believe  in  anything  of  that  kind  ? "  Amos 
asked,  in  surprise. 

"Certainly  I  do,  my  lad.  If  Governor  Hutchinson 
insists  it  is  not  the  desire  of  reputable  citizens  that  the 
soldiers  be  sent  away,  it  seems  necessary  he  should  be 
convinced  of  his  mistake,  and  —  " 

"  Surely  Hardy  Baker  and  Attucks,  and  their  following, 
would  not  be  taken  for  reputable  citizens  ? " 

"  True,  lad,  but  at  the  same  time  they  echo  the  senti- 
ments of  even  such  men  as  Master  Samuel  Adams.  Do 
you  observe  that  in  all  this  excitement  no  one  in  authority 


A   NIGHT  OF  TERROR.  91 

among  us  has  advised  that  we  remain  quiet  ?  It  appears 
to  me  they  are  willing  matters  should  take  their  course, 
and  will  not  attempt  to  prevent  the  hotheads,  hoping  that 
through  unreasoning  violence  good  shall  come." 

Amos,  remembering  all  he  had  heard  since  the  murder 
of  little  Chris,  began  to  believe  Jim's  brother  was  correct 
in  his  statement.  He  knew  full  well  that  if  Master 
Samuel  Adams  or  Master  John  Hancock  requested 
the  citizens  to  desist  from  gathering  on  the  street, 
or  from  making  any  demonstration  against  the  soldiers, 
their  wishes  would  have  been  respected,  and  such 
brawlers  as  Hardy  Baker  been  forced  to  remain  quiet. 

It  was  a  revelation  to  him  that  a  noble  purpose  might 
be  attained  through  ignoble  means,  and  immediately  he 
ceased  to  regard  the  barber's  apprentice  as  a  menace  to 
the  public  peace. 

The  party,  headed  by  Attucks,  continued  straight  on 
toward  Dock  Square,  and  at  nearly  the  same  time  a  like 
party  came  down  from  King  Street,  while  yet  another 
could  be  seen  at  the  head  of  Union  Street. 

No  less  than  six  hundred  men  were  now  approaching  a 
common  centre  with  cries  of  : 

"  Let  us  drive  out  these  rascals !  They  have  no 
business  here  !  Drive  them  out !  " 

"  It  is  as  was  rumoured,"  Sam  Gray  said,  quietly. 
"  There  is  concerted  action  here,  and  before  morning 
Governor  Hutchinson  will  understand  that  it  is  the  citi- 
zens of  Boston,  not  a  rabble,  who  demand  the  removal  of 
the  troops.  If  the  better  class  of  people  wish  the  red- 


92  UNDER    THE   LIBERTY   TREE. 

coats  to  remain,  why  do  not  some  of  them  stand  here  to 
prevent  mischief  ? " 

Jim  made  no  reply,  He  already  realised  that  this  was 
a  movement  of  the  populace,  and  not  an  ordinary  street 
brawl. 

Each  moment  the  crowd  that  had  assembled  in  the 
square  increased  in  numbers  ;  but  it  remained  as  orderly 
a  gathering  as  ever  assembled  at  Liberty  Hall  until  a 
squad  of  soldiers,  evidently  for  no  other  purpose  than  to 
show  their  contempt  of  the  people,  strode  into  the  square, 
forcing  a  passage  through  the  crowd  in  an  offensive  and 
insolent  manner. 

Then  came  that  cry  which  aroused  those  who  heard  it 
more  quickly  than  had  the  pealing  of  the  alarm-bell. 

"  Town-born,  turn  out !  Down  with  the  'bloody  backs  ' !  " 

The  soldiers  lost  their  air  of  security  and  defiance  as 
these  words  were  passed  from  one  side  of  the  square  to  the 
other  like  the  waves  of  the  sea,  and  caught  up  in  every 
direction  by  those  on  the  adjacent  streets,  until  it  seemed 
as  if  the  very  air  was  tremulous  with  the  cry  : 

"  Town-born,  turn  out !  " 

The  soldiers  disappeared ;  but  the  summons  for  those 
who  would  defend  their  city's  rights  had  so  excited  even 
the  cooler-headed  ones  that  action  was  an  absolute  neces- 
sity, and  yet  no  leader  had  at  that  moment  arisen  to  map 
out  a  course  of  action. 

If  their  movements  were  concerted  up  to  the  time  of 
meeting  in  Dock  Square,  it  was  evident  the  plan  of  oper- 
ations had  not  been  carried  further  than  that,  and  the 


A   NIGHT  OF  TERROR.  93 

excited  ones  looked  about  eagerly  for  the  enemy,  but, 
seeing  none,  began  to  vent  their  fury  on  inanimate 
objects. 

The  market  stalls  were  torn  down  that  the  timbers 
might  be  used  as  weapons;  the  fire -bells  rang  out  their 
brazen  peals  ;  here  and  there  men  excited  almost  to  the 
verge  of  frenzy  discharged  a  musket  or  pistol  in  the  air, 
and  constantly  were  the  numbers  of  the  throng  increased, 
until  Amos  and  Jim  thought  it  was  as  if  all  the  male  inhab- 
itants of  the  city  had  gathered  in  one  place  to  defend  the 
town. 

The  pealing  of  the  bells  brought  to  the  tumultuous 
scene  those  who  did  not  sympathise  with  the  movement, 
as  well  as  those  that  approved  of  it,  and  among  the  former 
class  were  several  well-known  citizens,  who,  believing  the 
greatest  danger  was  to  be  apprehended  from  such  an 
uprising,  endeavoured,  by  all  their  powers  of  persuasion,  to 
induce  the  people  to  return  to  their  homes,  leaving  to 
such  as  Adams  and  Hancock  the  task  of  ridding  the 
city  of  the  redcoats. 

So  earnestly  did  these  peacemakers  labour  that  the 
respectful  attention  of  the  greater  portion  of  the  gather- 
ing was  soon  secured,  and  even  those  who  brandished 
weapons,  calling  frantically  to  their  comrades  to  follow 
them  to  the  barracks,  listened,  half  persuaded,  to  the 
words  of  these  temperate  men. 

In  half  an  hour  the  shouting,  yelling  throng  had  so 
far  been  reduced  to  silence  that  Amos  believed  all  danger 
of  violence  was  over,  when  suddenly  there  sprang  up,  as 


94  UNDER    THE  LIBERTY   TREE. 

if  from  the  very  ground  beneath  them,  a  tall  man  dressed 
in  a  scarlet  cloak,  his  head  covered  with  a  white,  flowing- 
wig,  and,  mounting  the  wreck  of  the  market  stalls,  he 
stood,  a  commanding  figure,  illumined  by  the  rays  of  the 
moon. 

"  You  have  come  here  as  men  determined  to  obtain 
your  rights,"  he  cried,  in  a  ringing  voice,  which  could  be 
heard  distinctly  by  all,  "  and  will  you  depart  as  children  ? 
Will  you  listen  to  those  who  counsel  soft  words  when  you 
are  confronted  by  the  muskets  of  your  enemies  ?  Will 
you,  town-born,  be  thrust  aside  by  the  Britishers  at  every 
corner  of  the  streets  ?  Have  you  come  here  simply  to- 
shriek  for  your  rights,  and  then  to  disperse  quietly,  lest 
you  displease  the  hirelings  of  the  King  ?  Are  you  afraid 
of  punishment  which  may  follow,  that  you  would  slink- 
away  now?  It  is  the  town-born  who  must  defend  the 
town.  It  is  the  town-born  who  shall  relieve  the  town  from 
the  burden  under  which  it  groans,  and  it  is  the  town-born 
who  this  night  should  appear  before  the  main  guard  as. 
their  masters,  not  as  their  servants." 

"  To  the  main  guard  !     To  the  main  guard  !  " 

The  multitude  caught  up  the  cry,  and  as  if  in  a  twink- 
ling the  throng  was  in  motion,  each  pressing  forward  by 
the  nearest  way  toward  the  barracks. 

The  streets  were  choked  with  people,  and  as  the  vast 
throng  spread  itself  out  toward  the  nearest  approach  to 
the  quarters  of  the  guard,  they  were,  by  force  of  circum- 
stances, divided  into  three  divisions. 

Samuel   Gray  and    his  two   companions   were,  carried,.. 


A   NIGHT  OF  TERROR.  97 

without  effort  on  their  part,  with  one  of  these  bodies,  and, 
by  a  singular  chance,  pressed  into  close  companionship 
with  the  barber's  apprentice  and  his  comrades. 

The  direction  taken  by  this  last  division  led  them 
directly  past  the  Custom  House,  and  as  they  approached 
it  Amos  heard  the  shrill  voice  of  Hardy,  high  above  the 
cries  and  shouts  of  his  companions  : 

"  There  's  the  scoundrel  who  knocked  me  down  !  That 
sentinel  in  the  doorway  blackened  my  eye  because  I  dared 
ask  to  see  Lieutenant  Draper !  " 

The  attention  of  the  throng  was  thus  directed  to  the 
single  soldier  who  stood  on  duty  at  the  Custom  House. 

"  Knock  him  down  as  well !  Give  him  a  dose  of  his 
own  medicine !  " 

"  Death  to  the  <  bloody  backs  '  !  " 

"Kill  him!     Kill  him  !" 

Now  the  excited  ones  no  longer  thought  of  the  main 
guard.  They  saw  before  them  an  armed  enemy,  and  he 
it  was  who  had  abused  one  of  the  town-born. 

Some  continued  to  utter  threats  ;  but  many  flung  bits 
of  ice,  frozen  dirt,  and  even  such  harmless  missiles  as  snow- 
balls, while  not  a  few  pressed  toward  the  soldier,  as  if  to 
make  him  prisoner. 

The  man  looked  down  upon  his  assailants  defiantly,  and, 
as  if  to  show  more  clearly  what  punishment  it  was  possible 
for  him  to  inflict  upon  them,  began  deliberately  to  load  his 
musket. 

This  action  intensified  the  anger  of  the  younger  people, 
and  they  pressed  yet  closer. 


98  UNDER    THE   LIBERTY   TREE. 

"  Advance  one  step  further,  and  I  kill  the  man  near- 
est !  "  the  sentinel  cried. 

"  If  you  fire  you  must  die  for  it !  "  Henry  Knox  *  shouted 
from  among  the  throng. 

"  I  shall  shoot  if  they  come  nearer  !  " 

As  he  said  this  the  soldier  levelled  his  weapon,  evidently 
determined  to  execute  the  threat,  and  at  the  same  time  he 
shouted  lustily  for  the  main  guard. 

"  That 's  right  !  Bring  on  your  main  guard  !  But  we  '11 
kill  you  first,"  Attucks  cried,  fiercely,  as  he  made  a  dash 
forward,  forcing  his  way  through  the  press,  owing  to  his 
great  strength. 

Before  he  could  reach  the  sentinel,  Captain  Preston,  the 
officer  of  the  day,  with  a  guard  of  eight  men,  came  on  the 
double  quick  from  the  Town  House,  and  forced  his  way, 
at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  to  the  sentinel's  side.  Once 
there,  the  newcomers  provoked  the  throng  to  yet  greater 
fury,  as  they  repeated  the  action  of  the  sentinel,  by  loading 
their  muskets  deliberately. 

There  were  but  few  among  that  gathering  who  were  not 
carried  away  by  the  excitement  of  the  moment  ;  yet  some 
retained  their  presence  of  mind,  and  among  these  last  was 
Henry  Knox,  who,  calling  several  nearest  him  to  his  assist- 
ance, succeeded  in  gaining  Captain  Preston's  side. 

There,  seizing  the  officer's  arm,  to  attract  his  attention, 
he  cried,  imploringly  : 

"  For  God's  sake,  take  your  men  back,  Captain  !  Your 
life  and  theirs  will  pay  the  penalty  of  an  encounter  now ! 

*  Afterwards  Washington's  Secretary  of  War. 


A   NIGHT  OF   TERROR.  99 

The  mob  are  beside  themselves  with  rage,  and  this  small 
squad  could  do  nothing  against  them,  once  they  were  let 
loose." 

The  officer  shook  off  his  well-meaning  adviser  as  he 
ordered  his  men  to  stand  firm  and  defend  themselves  with 
their  bayonets. 

How  it  happened  Amos  never  really  understood  ;  it  was 
as  if,  while  he  was  yet  calm  and  collected,  a  sudden  flare 
had  come  across  his  eyes,  and  he  realised  nothing  more 
until  he  was  in  the  foremost  of  the  throng,  pressing  eagerly 
forward  toward  the  red-coated  enemy,  without  regard  to 
possible  danger,  as  he  joined  those  around  him  in  yelling 
and  hooting. 

Men  and  boys  in  the  rear  were  firing  whatever  missiles 
came  to  hand,  and  friends  were  struck  as  often  as  foes. 

Amos  heard  some  one  cry,  and  he  thought  it  was 
Attucks  : 

"  Let  us  fall  upon  the  guards  !  The  main  guard  !  The 
main  guard  !  " 

He  saw,  as  if  in  a  dream,  the  mulatto  beat  down  the 
musket  of  a  soldier  with  a  club  ;  he  heard  those  directly 
behind  him  cheering  wildly,  and  he  added  his  voice  to 
theirs. 

Somewhere  from  the  rear  came  the  cries  : 

"  Don't  be  afraid  of  them  !  " 

"They  daren't  fire!  " 

"Kill  them!      Kill  them  !" 

He  half  turned  his  head,  believing  it  was  Jim  who  had 
raised  the  last  cry,  and  just  at  that  instant  he  saw  the 


100  UNDER    THE  LIBERTY  TREE. 

mulatto  aim  a  blow  at  Captain  Preston's  head  with  the 
club ;  he  understood  that  it  was  parried  by  the  officer's 
arms,  and  then  noted  with  satisfaction  the  fact  that  as  the 
weapon  descended  it  knocked  a  musket  from  the  hands 
of  a  soldier. 

It  was  to  him  more  like  a  dream  than  a  reality  when 
he  saw  the  mulatto  raise  the  musket  quickly,  as  if  to  use 
it  upon  the  officer,  and  at  that  moment  some  one,  Amos 
never  knew  who,  shouted  : 

"  Why  don't  you  fire  ?  Why  don't  you  fire  ? " 
Instantly,  above  the  shouts  and  yells  of  the  multitude, 
was  heard  the  sharp,  ominous  crack  of  a  musket,  then 
another  and  another,  until  six  reports  seemed  literally  to 
cleave  the  air,  while  before  him,  and  on  either  side  of 
him,  Amos  saw  men  fall ;  saw  the  crimson  blood  gushing 
from  gaping  wounds,  and  then  it  was  as  if  consciousness 
deserted  him. 


CHAPTER   VI. 

AFTER    THE    MASSACRE. 

A  MOS  was  brought  to  a  consciousness  of  his  sur- 
•^^-  roundings  by  the  wailings  of  Jim,  who,  regardless 
of  everything  save  his  own  sore  affliction,  was  kneeling 
by  the  side  of  his  brother,  trying  to  staunch  a  sluggish  flow 
of  blood,  which  was  issuing  from  Sam's  forehead. 

Near  him  lay  James  Caldwell  and  Crispus  Attucks, 
both  of  whom  had  been  killed  instantly,  and  a  short  dis- 
tance away  Samuel  Maverick  and  Patrick  Carr  were 
writhing  in  the  agony  of  mortal  wounds,  while  here  and 
there  within  the  narrow  space  were  six  others  who  had 
been  brought  to  the  ground  by  the  leaden  hail. 

Amos  dimly  understood  that  the  crowd  had  fallen 
back  at  the  discharge  of  the  weapons,  but  he  thought 
only  of  his  friend's  great  grief,  and  tried  in  vain  to 
assuage  it. 

Sitting  upon  the  snow-covered  ice,  Jim  held  the  head 
of  his  dead  brother,  moaning  and  sobbing,  until  Amos 
began  to  fear  he  also  had  been  wounded. 

"Did  any  of  the  bullets  hit  you,  Jim?"  he  asked, 
solicitously. 

"  No,  no,  I  only  wish  they  had  !  7  don't  amount  to 
anything.  Poor  Sam  !  "  And,  in  the  frenzy  of  his  grief, 


102 


UNDER    THE   LIBERTY   TREE. 


Jim  swayed  to  and  fro,  still  holding  in  tender  clasp  the 
lifeless  head,  while  above  him,  grim  and  menacing,  stood 
the  soldiers  with  levelled  muskets. 

While  one  might  have  counted  twenty,  the  square, 
lately  the  scene  of  such  an  uproar,  was  silent,  save  for 
the  moans  of  the  wounded,  and  then  the  tramp  of  the 
soldiers  rang  out  horribly  dis- 
tinct as  Captain  Preston 
marched  them  away  to 
the  main  guard. 

The  people  recovered 
sufficiently  from  their  ter- 
ror and  bewilderment  to 
advance,  in  order  to  suc- 
cour those  who  were  suf- 
fering,   and    hardly    had 
they  done    so  when  the 
sound  of  drums  beating 
the  call  to  arms  was  heard, 
and  a  few  moments  later  it  was 
whispered  from   one  to  another  that   the   Twenty -ninth 
Regiment  was  forming  in  ranks  near  the  Town  House. 
Then  from   far  up   the   street   came  the  dreadful  cry, 
shrill  and  menacing  : 

"  The  soldiers  are  rising  !  To  arms  !  '  To  arms  !  Turn 
out  with  your  guns  !  " 

While  the  drums  continued  to  beat,  this  terrible  sum- 
mons resounded  through  first  one  street  and  then  another, 
striking  terror  to  the  hearts  of  those  who  heard  it ;  but 


AFTER    THE  MASSACRE,  103 

causing  the  courageous  to  hasten  to  the  scene  of  the 
murder  in  order  to  aid  their  townsmen,  and  the  cowardly 
to  seek  refuge  in  flight. 

Five  minutes  later,  amid  the  rattle  of  drums  and  the 
menacing  cries,  came  the  pealing  of  bells  summoning 
the  inhabitants  to  defend  their  city. 

In  Dock  Square  men  stood  shoulder  to  shoulder,  the 
\vell-to-do  citizen  by  the  side  of  the  labourer  or  sailor,  each 
armed  after  his  own  fashion,  and  each  ready  to  defend 
the  lives  of  those  nearest  and  dearest  to  him. 

During  half  an  hour  or  more  there  was  probably  no 
person  in  the  vicinity  of  the  tragedy  who  did  not  firmly 
believe  that  the  soldiers  were  rising  with  the  intent  to 
massacre,  and  then  Governor  Hutchinson  appeared  upon 
the  .scene,  ordering  the  people  to  disperse,  and  declaring 
the  "law  should  have  its  course." 

"  Has  the  captain  who  ordered  the  soldiers  to  fire  been 
arrested?"  some  one  cried,  and  instantly  there  went  up 
a  great  shout. 

"Arrest  the  murderers!  Bring  them  to  justice  before 
you  call  upon  us  to  go  quietly  to  our  homes  !  Murder 
has  been  done  this  night,  and  the  blood  must  be 
avenged !  " 

The  Governor  hesitated,  as  if  uncertain  what  reply 
should  be  made,  and  then  said  : 

"Justice  shall  be  meted  out  to  all.  You  who  have 
gathered  here  have  done  so  in  defiance  of  the  law, 
and  — 

"We  have  come  here  that  the  law  shall  not  be  broken," 


104  UNDER    THE   LIBERTY   TREE. 

a  voice  cried.  "  Arrest  those  who  have  committed  the 
murder !  Do  your  own  duty  before  you  call  upon  us  to 
do  ours." 

The  Governor  attempted  once  more  to  speak,  but  the 
cries  of  the  more  ignorant  ones  drowned  his  voice,  and 
he  disappeared  from  view. 

Shortly  after,  while  the  citizens  remained  in  an  attitude 
of  defiance,  it  was  reported  that  Governor  Hutchinson  had 
ordered  Captain  Preston  to  be  brought  before  him,  and 
that  an  investigation  of  the  officer's  conduct  would  be 
made. 

Then  a  portion  of  the  people  returned  to  their  homes ; 
but  yet  more  remained  to  make  certain  the  report  regard- 
ing the  investigation  was  not  a  falsehood,  devised  for  the 
purpose  of  inducing  them  to  disperse. 

Of  all  these  things  Amos  knew  nothing.  His  thoughts 
were  confined  entirely  to  his  grief-stricken  friend,  and  as 
he  assisted  in  carrying  Sam  to  his  brother's  house  on 
Royal  Exchange  Lane,  he  moved  and  acted  like  one  in  a 
dream,  for  the  terror  of  the  scene  was  still  upon  him. 

He  left  Jim  by  the  side  of  the  lifeless  body,  while  kindly 
friends  hastened  to  break  the  sad  news  with  some  degree 
of  gentleness  to  the  parents  of  the  murdered  man,  and 
then  went  to  his  own  home ;  but  not  to  sleep. 

It  was  not  yet  daylight,  on  the  following  morning,  when 
Christopher  Gore,  his  arm  bandaged  and  in  a  sling, 
appeared  at  Amos's  home. 

"  I  was  afraid  you  might  have  come  to  some  harm  when 
I  heard  that  Sam  Gray  was  killed,  for  I  knew  you  and  Jim 


AFTER    THE  MASSACRE.  105 

were  most  likely  near  him,"  he  said,  as  if  apologising  for 
his  early  visit.  "  How  did  you  escape  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know,  Chris.  It  does  n't  seem  to  me  that  I 
can  remember  anything  of  that  awful  moment,  except  that 
I  saw  Sam  Gray  fall  dead,  and  heard  Jim  weeping  over 
him." 

"  Do  you  know  what  became  of  Hardy  Baker  ?  " 

"  I  did  n't  see  him  after  the  shots  were  fired.  I  only 
know  it  was  he  who  called  attention  to  the  sentinel,  and 
but  for  him  it  is  almost  certain  no  disturbance  would  have 
taken  place  at  the  Custom  House.  Have  you  heard  from 
him  ? " 

"  No.  I  wanted  to  go  out  as  soon  as  we  heard  that 
murder  had  been  done  ;  but  mother  would  n't  listen  to  me. 
It  was  only  by  promising  to  come  directly  here,  and  have 
you  walk  home  with  me,  that  she  was  willing  I  should 
venture  out  now.  The  streets  are  filled  with  people,  and 
the  excitement  is  as  great  as  at  noonday." 

"  Have  you  heard  whether  the  British  captain  has  been 
arrested?" 

"  Father  said,  and  he  was  among  those  who  waited  to 
be  certain  Governor  Hutchinson  would  n't  play  us  false, 
that  the  investigation  was  not  finished  until  three  o'clock 
this  morning.  The  captain  has  been  held  for  trial,  and  the 
squad  of  soldiers  who  did  the  firing  are  all  in  jail." 

"  Do  you  know  what  is  to  be  done  now  ? " 

"There  is  to  be  a  town  meeting  at  Faneuil  Hall  at 
eleven  o  'clock,  and  it  is  said  that  Master  Samuel  Adams 
will  address  the  people." 


106  UATDER    THE   LIBERTY   TREE. 

"  Are  you  to  be  there  ?  " 

"  I  would  n't  dare  go  in  a  crowd  while  the  wound  on 
my  arm  is  yet  unhealed.  What  have  you  to  do  this 
morning  ? " 

"  Why  do  you  ask  ?  " 

"  I  wanted  you  to  come  to  my  home  with  me ;  but  I 
suppose  that  is  too  much  to  ask,  for  of  course  you  intend 
to  be  on  the  street,  in  order  to  know  what  is  going  on." 

"  I  '11  go  with  you  willingly,  Chris.  I  have  seen  enough 
of  the  work  which  may  be  done  on  the  street,  until  the 
time  comes  when  I  can  be  of  some  assistance." 

An  hour  later  the  boys  were  at  Chris  Gore's  home,  and 
there  they  remained  until  noon,  when  it  was  learned  that 
a  formal  town  meeting  was  appointed  for  three  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon.  During  the  informal  meeting  Master 
Samuel  Adams  had  made  an  address  to  the  people,  in 
which  he  recommended  that  a  committee  be  sent  to  the 
Governor,  to  tell  him  once  more  that  peace  could  not  be 
maintained  while  the  British  soldiers  virtually  held  posses- 
sion of  the  city,  and  of  this  committee  was  Master  Samuel 
Adams. 

At  night,  when  Chris  Gore's  father  came  home,  he 
reported  all  the  general  public  knew  regarding  the  condi- 
tion of  affairs. 

Faneuil  Hall  had  proven  too  small  for  the  throng  of 
citizens  assembled  at  the  hour  set,  and  it  became  necessary 
to  adjourn  to  the  Old  South  Meeting-house. 

There  it  was  said  by  some  one  who  claimed  to  have 
talked  with  one  of  the  committee  appointed  to  wait  upon 


AFTER    THE   MASSACRE. 


107 


the  Governor,  that  while  the  throng  were  passing  from 
Faneuil  Hall  to  the  church  a  member  of  the  Council  said 
to  Hutchinson  : 

"  This  multitude  are  not  such  as  pulled  down  your 
house ;  but  they  are  men  of  the  best  character,  men  of 
estates,  men  of  religion,  and  men  who  pray  over  what  they 
do." 

"When  Master  Adams  came  into  the  meeting-house  at 


the  head  of  the  committee,"  Mr.  Gore  said  to  the  boys,  in 
continuing  his  story,  "  he  whispered  to  those  who  were 
nearest  as  he  passed,  and  I  was  one  of  them,  '  Both  regi- 
ments or  none  !  Both  regiments  or  none  ! '  I  did  not  at 
the  moment  understand  his  meaning ;  but  a  few  moments 
later,  when  the  report  had  been  read,  all  was  clear.  Lieu- 
tenant-Governor  Hutchinson  had  decided  that  both  regi- 
ments could  not  be  removed ;  one  must  remain.  The 
Twenty-ninth,  because  it  was  members  of  that  body  who 
committed  the  murder,  was  to  be  sent  to  the  Castle  ;  but 


108  UNDER    THE   LIBERTY   TREE. 

the  Fourteenth,  so  the  Lieutenant-Governor  declared,  was 
to  remain  in  the  city.  Then  we  knew  what  Master  Adams 
meant  by  his  whispered  communication,  and  the  cry  went 
up  in  such  volume  as  seemed  to  shake  the  building,  '  Both 
regiments  or  none.' 

"  With  this  as  the  sentiment  of  the  people,  little  busi- 
ness was  done,  save  that  of  making  plain  to  Governor 
Hutchinson  that  our  will,  not  his,  must  prevail.  A  new 
committee,  of  which  were  Master  Samuel  Adams,  John 
Hancock,  and  Dr.  Joseph  Warren,  was  chosen,  and  sent 
to  the  Council-chamber  to  report.  I  was  so  fortunate  as 
to  be  able  to  speak  with  Dr.  Warren  shortly  after  they 
returned,  and  am,  therefore,  able  to  tell  you  exactly  what 
occurred.  Master  Adams,  in  presenting  the  case  for  the 
second  time  to  Governor  Hutchinson,  argued  as  he  always 
has,  that  it  is  illegal  to  quarter  troops  upon  the  city  in 
time  of  peace,  and  that  this,  if  there  was  no  other  reason, 
would  be  sufficient  cause  for  our  demanding  their  im- 
mediate removal.  The  Lieutenant-Governor  insisted  it 
was  not  only  legal,  but  absolutely  necessary,  and  he  lamely 
concluded  by  saying  the  soldiers  were  not  under  his  con- 
trol. Then  it  was  Master  Adams  took  advantage  of  this 
weak  point  in  His  Excellency's  remarks,  to  say  that  if  he 
had  the  power  to  remove  one,  he  could  remove  both  regi- 
ments, and  he  added  —  I  can  well  fancy  with  what  power 
- '  A  multitude,  highly  incensed,  now  awaits  the  result 
of  this  application.  The  voice  of  ten  thousand  freemen 
demands  that  both  regiments  be  forthwith  removed. 
Their  voice  must  be  respected  —  their  demand  obeyed. 


AFTER    THE  MASSACRE.  1 09 

Fail  not,  then,  at  your  peril,  to  comply  with  this  request. 
On  you  alone  rests  the  responsibility  of  this  decision  ; 
but  if  the  just  expectations  of  the  people  are  disappointed, 
you  must  be  answerable  to  God  and  your  country  for  the 
fatal  consequences  that  must  ensue.'  " 

"  And  then  he  could  do  no  less  than  comply  with  the 
demands  of  the  people,"  Chris  said,  excitedly. 

"  He  did  nothing  of  the  kind,  my  son  ;  but  declared 
that  he  would  not  allow  himself  to  be  intimidated  ;  that  he 
should  not  send  both  regiments  away.  What  the  result 
might  have  been  had  the  committee  returned  with  this 
decision,  I  tremble  to  contemplate ;  but  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Dalrymple,  who,  it  seems,  has  a  better  idea  of 
the  condition  of  affairs  in  this  city  than  the  men  who  rule 
over  us,  gave  his  word  of  honour  as  a  soldier  that  the 
troops  should  be  removed  at  once,  and  such  was  the 
report  with  which  the  committee  returned  to  us." 

"  And  does  the  matter  rest  there,  sir  ?  "  Amos  asked. 

"  Yes,  to  a  certain  extent.  The  people,  determined 
there  should  be  no  opportunity  of  breaking  faith,  either 
on  the  part  of  the  Lieutenant  -  Governor  or  the  military 
officer,  appointed  the  same  gentlemen  who  had  waited  on 
His  Excellency,  as  a  Committee  of  Safety,  and  from  this 
time  out  our  most  reputable  citizens  will  act  as  night- 
watch,  each  doing  his  share  of  the  duty  fully  armed,  until 
every  soldier  shall  have  left  this  city.  There  is  to  be  no 
unnecessary  delay." 

"  But  what  about  those  who  committed  the  murder  ? " 

"  They  will  be  tried  in  due  form,  and  I  hope,  as  must 


HO  UNDER    THE  LIBERTY   TREE. 

every  good  citizen,  that  it  will  be  an  impartial  trial. 
Already  it  is  claimed  for  Captain  Preston  that  he  did  not 
give  the  order  for  his  men  to  fire ;  but  that  some  one 
near  him  —  perhaps  one  of  our  own  people  —  seeing  the 
soldiers  were  threatened  with  bodily  harm,  and  that  there 
was  every  danger  of  their  receiving  severe  injuries,  cried  : 
'  Why  don't  you  fire  ? '  " 

"And  that  is  exactly  what  I  heard,"  Amos  said, 
quickly.  "  I  was  looking  at  the  captain  at  that  fatal 
moment,  and,  although  it  had  n't  occurred  to  me  from 
that  time  until  this,  I  am  certain  he  never  gave  the  com- 
mand to  fire.  Nevertheless,  the  soldiers  all  shot  to  kill." 

"True,  lad,"  Mr.  Gore  said,  sorrowfully,  "and  if  the 
military  remain  in  the  city,  it  will  be  impossible  for  the 
authorities  to  prevent  further  conflicts,  more  especially 
now  that  the  people  are  fully  aroused  by  the  bloodshed." 

When  Amos  set  out  for  home  at  a  late  hour  that  even- 
ing, he  saw  the  members  of  the  citizens'  watch  parading 
the  streets,  and  there  came  to  him  a  sense  of  deepest 
relief  after  the  terrible  events  of  the  past  week,  with  the 
knowledge  that  for  a  certain  time,  at  least,  the  good  city 
of  Boston  would  be  properly  guarded  by  her  own  people. 

Despite  this  new  feeling  of  safety,  he  started  with 
apprehension,  almost  alarm,  when  a  dark  figure  crept 
cautiously  toward  him  as  he  was  passing  the  head  of 
Water  Street,  and  an  instant  later  he  stood  with  his 
back  against  the  palings  in  an  attitude  of  self-defence, 
for  he  who  had  approached  so  stealthily  was  Hardy  Baker. 

"  Don't   act    as   if   you    was    going  to  fight    me,"   the 


AFTER    THE   MASSACRE.  Ill 

barber's  apprentice  said,  piteously.  "  Don't  do  that, 
Amos  !  I  know  I  tried  to  make  trouble  for  you  yester- 
day afternoon  ;  but  you  served  me  out  for  it,  and  I 
haven't  said  a  word  against  you  since  then." 

"  I  don't  know  whether  you  have  or  not." 

"  What  I  tell  you  is  true,  Amos,"  and  the  listener  was 
thoroughly  surprised  by  the  change  in  the  bearing  of 
Master  Piemont's  apprentice. 

"What  do  you  want  of  me?"  he  asked,  sharply. 

"  I  don't  know,"  Hardy  replied,  in  a  tone  of  despair. 
"  It  seems  as  if  everybody  was  my  enemy.  I  went  down 
to  Jim  Gray's  house  this  afternoon,  and  he  would  n't  so 
much  as  look  at  me." 

"  Do  you  think  he  has  good  reason  to  be  friendly  with 
you  ? " 

"  You  say  that  because  his  brother  was  killed  at  the  Cus- 
tom House.  Amos,  I  did  n't  think  anything  like  murder 
could  happen  when  I  told  the  crowd  the  soldier  on  the 
steps  was  the  one  who  had  knocked  me  down.  If  you 
had  been  treated  as  I  was,  and  saw  the  man  standing 
there  when  you  believed  the  soldiers  were  going  to  rise 
against  us,  you  might  have  done  the  same  thing." 

"Well,  and  if  I  might,  what  then,  Hardy  Baker? 
What  do  you  want  of  me  ? " 

"I  want  you  to  talk  with  me,  Amos.  It  seems  as  if 
everybody  believed  I  was  as  much  of  a  murderer  as  the 
'bloody  backs,'  and  Master  Piemont  told  me  this  after- 
noon never  to  show  my  face  near  his  shop  again — that 
I  was  n't  wholesome  even  for  Britishers  to  look  at." 


112  UNDER    THE   LIBERTY   TREE. 

"I  don't  think,  Hardy,"  and  now  Amos' s  tone  was  less 
sharp  than  before,  "that  you  should  expect  either  the 
people  or  the  soldiers  would  be  very  friendly  toward  you." 

"But  I  didn't  do  this  thing.  I  didn't  have  any  more 
hand  in  it  than  you,  or  Jim  Gray,  or  Chris  Snyder." 

"  But  how  can  you  charge  us  with  any  concern  in  it  ? " 

"  Was  n't  it  all  a  piece  of  work  beginning  with  what  we 
did  to  Master  Lillie  ?  Has  n't  it  grown  out  of  that  ?  " 

"  Of  course  not.  Ebenezer  Richardson's  bloody  deed 
had  nothing  to  do  with  the  soldiers,"  Amos  cried,  quickly, 
but  at  the  same  time  a  terrible  fear  took  possession  of  him 
that  possibly  the  tragedy  on  Hanover  Street  might  have 
had  some  connection  with  that  at  the  Custom  House. 

"But,  Amos,"  Hardy  continued,  imploringly,  "when 
poor  little  Chris  Snyder  was  killed  through  what  we  did 
to  Master  Lillie,  and  you  were  as  much  concerned  in  the 
matter  as  I,  you  didn't  accuse  me  then  of  being  at  fault." 

"No,"  Amos  said,  slowly  and  thoughtfully,  "because 
that  which  we  did,  so  Master  Revere  said,  was  not  done 
with  any  idea  or  possibility  in  our  minds  that  bloodshed 
might  follow." 

"  Nor  was  there  in  my  mind  any  idea  that  bloodshed 
might  follow  when  I  told  the  crowd  the  soldier  at  the 
Custom  House  was  the  one  who  had  knocked  me  down." 

During  several  moments  Amos  stood  silent  and  motion- 
less. 

Hardy's  offending  seemed  less  heinous  in  his  eyes  than 
it  had  a  few  moments  previous,  and  he  said,  in  a  milder 
tone  ; 


AFTER    THE   MASSACRE.  113 

"  I  won't  be  one  to  accuse  you,  Hardy  ;  but  let  me 
advise  you  to  leave  the  affairs  of  the  city  to  those  who 
are  older  and  have  better  judgment.  Don't  go  about  any 
more  with  such  companions  as  have  been  yours  during  the 
past  few  days." 

"  Will  you  forgive  me,  Amos,  for  what  I  did  yester- 
day ? " 

"  I  surely  ought  to,  after  we  settled  it  with  our  fists." 

"  May  I  walk  home  with  you  ? "  Hardy  asked,  meekly, 
after  a  brief  pause. 

"  To  what  end  ? " 

"  I  want  to  be  with  some  one  who  is  friendly,"  and  Mas- 
ter Piemont's  assistant  spoke  in  a  tone  of  such  dejection 
that  Amos' s  heart  was  touched. 

"  Where  do  you  live  ?  " 

"  Nowhere  now.  Master  Piemont  declares  I  shall  not 
stay  in  the  house  another  hour  —  you  know  the  terms  of 
my  apprenticeship  were  that  he  should  give  me  a  home." 

"  Then  what  do  you  intend  to  do,  Hardy?"  and  now 
Amos  began  to  display  some  concern. 

"  I  shall  walk  to  Salem,  where  my  parents  live,  if  I  can- 
not find  other  work  here.  I  am  afraid  when  people  know 
it  was  through  me  that  the  trouble  began  at  the  Custom 
House,  they  will  feel  as  Master  Piemont  does,  and  refuse 
to  hire  me." 

"  You  can't  walk  to  Salem  to-night.  Where  will  you 
sleep  ? " 

"  That  makes  no  difference.  If  you  will  only  be  friendly 
with  me,  Amos,  I  can  get  along  somehow." 


II4  UNDER    THE  LIBERTY   TREE. 

"  You  shall  go  home  with  me,  Hardy,  and  after  the 
excitement  has  died  away  people  will  begin  to  realise  that 
you  are  not  as  much  to  blame  as  now  appears.  Even  Jim 
Gray  will  see  the  matter  in  another  light,  as  soon  as  his 
grief  has  subsided." 

With  this  reconciliation  it  is  necessary,  because  the 
purpose  of  this  book  is  finished,  to  bid  adieu  to  the  boys 
whom  we  have  met  under  the  Liberty  Tree,  for  in  nowise 
would  the  incidents  of  their  lives  interest  the  reader,  until 
after  the  lapse  of  many  months,  when  we  may,  perchance, 
meet  them  again,  while  relating  certain  events  connected 
with  the  Siege  of  Boston. 

The  following  is  taken  from  Arthur  Oilman's  "  Story  of 
Boston." 

"  Before  the  troops  could  be  removed,  on  the  following 
Thursday,  March  8th,  the  funerals  of  the  slain  were  celebrated 
with  all  the  pomp  that  Boston  was  capable  of  displaying  at  the 
time.  The  assemblage  was  the  '  largest  ever  known  ' ;  the  bells 
were  tolled  in  Boston,  Cambridge,  Roxbury,  Charlestown ;  the 
bodies  of  Caldwell  and  Attucks,  the  friendless  ones  among  the 
victims,  were  taken  to  Faneuil  Hall,  Maverick's  was  borne  from 
his  mother's  home,  on  Union  Street,  and  that  of  Gray  from  his 
brother's  on  Royal  Exchange  Lane.  The  four  hearses  formed 
a  junction  on  the  fatal  King  Street,  and  thence  the  procession 
continued,  six  deep,  to  the  Middle,  or  Granary  Burying-ground, 
where  the  bodies  were  solemnly  laid  in  a  single  grave.  Thus, 
the  last  view  that  the  retreating  soldiers  had  of  King  Street 
was  marked  by  the  passage  of  thousands  of  Bostonians,  doing 
honour  to  the  men  whose  taunts  and  insults  had  goaded  them 


AFTER    THE   MASSACRE.  11$ 

beyond  endurance,  and  they  felt  the  humiliation  of  their  situa- 
tion as  they  gave  way  before  the  successful  '  bullies '  of  the 
little  town,  who  had  put  them  to  flight.  It  was  not  '  ignomini- 
ous '  in  Dalrymple,  however,  to  take  his  men  away  from  an 
infuriated  populace  ;  there  were  then  thousands  of  sturdy  New 
Englanders  in  the  towns  about,  ready  to  crowd  into  Boston  at 
the  proper  signal ;  and  what  were  two  single  regiments  to  do  if 
they  had  come  ?  It  was  foolhardy  in  Hutchinson  to  resist  the 
demand  of  the  determined  gathering  at  the  Old  South.  He  had 
been  wise  the  evening  before,  but  on  that  clay  his  sagacity 
deserted  him.  When  Lord  North,  the  unwise  minister  of  King 
George,  heard  of  the  circumstances,  he  was  interested  in  every 
detail,  and  the  picture  of  Adams  before  Hutchinson  impressed 
him  so  deeply  that  he  afterwards  called  the  Fourteenth  and  the 
Twenty-ninth  '  the  Sam  Adams  regiments.'  " 

"In  August,  1775,  the  name  of  Liberty  having  become 
offensive  to  the  tories  and  their  British  allies,  the  tree  was  cut 
down  by  a  party  led  by  one  Job  Williams.  '  Armed  with  axes 
they  made  a  furious  attack  upon  it.  After  a  long  spell  of 
laughing  and  grinning,  sweating,  swearing,  and  foaming,  with 
malice  diabolical,  they  cut  down  the  tree,  because  it  bore  the 
name  of  Liberty.'  (Essex  Gazette,  1775.)  Some  idea  of  the 
size  of  the  tree  may  be  formed  from  the  fact  that  it  made  four- 
teen cords  of  wood.  The  jesting  at  the  expense  of  the  Sons  of 
Liberty  had  a  sorry  conclusion  ;  one  of  the  soldiers,  in  attempt- 
ing to  remove  a  limb,  fell  to  the  pavement  and  was  killed." 
— Drake's  "  Old  Landmarks  of  Boston}'' 


THE     END. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

Los  Angeles 
This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 

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